,,standards ,,of ,,life ,,and ,,service ,,by ,,commissioner ,t4 ,h4 ,,howard ,,the ,,salvation ,,army ,,book ,,department ,,london3 #gi #ha ,fortess ,road1 ,n4,w4 ,,melbourne3 #fi ,bourke ,street ,,new ,,york3 #abj ,west ,fourteenth ,street ,,toronto3 ,albert ,street ,,cape ,,town3 ,loop ,street ,,simpkin1 ,,marshall1 ,,hamilton1 ,,kent ,,co41 ,,ltd4 #d ,,stationers' ,,hall ,,court1 ,,london1 ,e4,c4 #aiji ,,the ,,salvation ,,army ,,printing ,,works1 ,,st4 ,,albans ,,preface ,the following pages contain reports of addresses delivered by ,commissioner ,howard1 of our ,international ,headquarters1 during an important series of ,holiness ,meetings held in the ,congress ,hall1 ,london1 principally in #aijh4 ,those ,meetings were widely used by ,god1 and at my request the ,commissioner has revised the shorthand reports of his words for this volume4 ,we now send forth his messages in the hope of still further extending their usefulness4 ,christianity is a present-day call to a good life4 ,if it be anything less than that1 it is really not worth troubling about4 ,it is1 of course1 rich in holy memories1 and venerable in its association with all that is true and best in the past4 ,but it is not only ancient in its origin and triumphs--it is intensely modern in its touch with human need1 and in its demand that the spirit of righteousness should be the controlling force in human life--in the common life of to-day4 ,it is the aim of the following addresses to bring that truth home to us1 and to help us to go direct to ,,jesus ,,christ ,himself for power to respond to that claim4 ,cast in popular form1 as was necessary for meeting such occasions as those which called them forth1 these addresses do not attempt any comprehensive statements of the philosophy of ,holiness4 ,anything of that kind1 no matter how successful1 would have been the undoing of the whole effort4 ,nevertheless1 the diligent reader will1 ,i think1 find underlying these practical counsels certain valuable principles4 ,in particular1 he will find implied1 when not actually expressed1 an important distinction between the work of ,god in the justifying and purifying of the soul1 and the work of man in walking in obedience to the laws of ,god4 ,it is that obedience ,i am thinking of when ,i say that ,christianity is a demand for righteousness4 ,it is that obedience we mean when we talk of ,holiness--in its practical aspects4 ,one of the dangers to which all deeply spiritual teaching is open1 is a kind of antinomianism--a species of religious bargaining between the soul and ,god2 and that is a thing which is1 of course1 totally alien to ,his will1 and completely ruinous to true progress4 ,the process of such thought is something like this3 ',christ has performed for me a work of infinite love and merit4 ,if ,i confess and deplore evil1 ,i may claim pardon for it and purifying from its guilt by faith in the ,divine ,sacrifice made for me4 ,that will ease my burdened soul and free me from apprehension as to future peril--peril which would otherwise have proved very real4 ,as to temptation to further evil1 ,i must watch against it2 but if by chance or evil impulse1 or even wilful choice1 ,i fall into it1 let me not be too deeply concerned4 ,i can easily obtain again what ,i have obtained before4' ,now1 that is not only a false position1 but it involves an extremely dangerous error--an error which in practice is ultimately destructive of real faith4 ,salvation--indeed1 all spiritual experience1 is entered into by faith1 of course2 but it can only be maintained by hearty1 determined obedience on our part4 ,christ has died for us1 but ,he has not obeyed for us4 ,the 'new heart' is by faith in ,him--but the new life can only be lived by watchful and often painful obedience to the law of love4 ',i counsel thee to buy of ,me'1 saith ,he that walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks1 'white raiment that thou mayest be clothed'2 and ',blessed'1 ,he says also1 'is he that watcheth1 and keepeth his garments1 lest he walk naked'4 ,paul prayed for the saints of his day 'that ,christ may dwell in your hearts by faith'2 but he prayed also that they 'might walk worthy of the ,lord unto all pleasing1 being fruitful in every good work1 strengthened with all might unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness'4 ,it is towards standards for this life of rightly living that ,commissioner ,howard is working in the following chapters4 ,may the blessing of the great ,standard-,bearer rest upon his words1 and give the light and grace which ,he alone can afford to every reader4 ,,bramwell ,,booth4 ,,the ,,salvation ,,army1 ,,london1 ,april1 #aiji4 ,,foreword ,i wish that these ,addresses could1 in their present form1 be marked by those personal experiences which made the thoughts so alive to me when the words were uttered in public ,meetings4 ,if the flashes of light1 the intensity of conviction1 and the sense of ,divine help which were mine when speaking1 could be reproduced in cold type1 the impression upon the readers would be much more effective4 ,that may not be fully possible1 but ,i pray that in ,his own way ,god may use the book to the helping of many souls in the things which make for ,holiness and happy service4 ,t4 ,h4 ,h4 ,thou hidden love of ,god1 whose height1 ,whose depth unfathomed no man knows2 ,i see from far ,thy beauteous light1 ,inly ,i sigh for ,thy repose3 ,my heart is pained1 nor can it be ,at rest till it finds rest in ,thee4 ,is there a thing beneath the sun ,that strives with ,thee my heart to share8 ,ah1 tear it thence1 and reign alone1 ,the ,lord of every motion there6 ,then shall my heart from earth be free1 ,when it hath found repose in ,thee4 ,oh1 hide this self from me1 that ,i ,no more1 but ,christ in me1 may live2 ,my vile affections crucify1 ,nor let one darling lust survive6 ,in all things nothing may ,i see1 ,nothing desire or seek1 but ,thee6 ,each moment draw from earth away ,my heart1 that lowly waits ,thy call3 ,speak to my inmost soul1 and say1 ',i am thy ,lord1 thy ,god1 thy ,all6' ,to feel ,thy power1 to hear ,thy voice1 ,to share ,thy cross be all my choice4 ,,contents ,,page ,,preface v ,,foreword ix ,i4 ,,god',s ,,call #a ,,ii4 ,,consecration ,,complete #h ,,iii4 ,,divine ,,fellowship #ae ,,iv4 ,,finding ,,god #bc ,v4 ,,the ,,doctrine ,,adorned #ca ,,vi4 ,,sureness #dj ,,vii4 ,,the ,,pathway ,,of ,,the ,,holy #di ,,viii4 ,,circumstances ,,and ,,consequences #eh ,,ix4 ,,bound ,,to ,,the ,,altar #fh ,x4 ,,why ,,should ,i8 #gg ,,xi4 ,,judged ,,by ,,fruit #hg ,,xii4 ,,perpetual ,,covenants #ie ,,xiii4 ,,the ,,baptism ,,of ,,the ,,spirit #ajd ,,xiv4 ,,lost ,,earnings #aac ,,xv4 ,,fighting ,,holiness #abc ,,xvi4 ,,sanctified ,,commonplaces #acb ,,xvii4 ,,spiritual ,,growth #ada ,,xviii4 ,,the ,,inward ,,laws #aea ,,xix4 ,,worry ,,versus ,,peace #aei ,,xx4 ,,an ,,appeal ,,and ,a ,,response #afh ',,we believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified1 and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,that is to say1 we believe that after conversion there remain in the heart of the believer inclinations to evil1 or roots of bitterness1 which1 unless overpowered by ,divine grace1 produce actual sin2 but that these evil tendencies can be entirely taken away by the ,spirit of ,god1 and the whole heart1 thus cleansed from everything contrary to the will of ,god1 or entirely sanctified1 will then produce the fruit of the ,spirit only4 ,and we believe that persons thus entirely sanctified may1 by the power of ,god1 be kept unblameable and unreprovable in ,his sight4'--,the ,doctrines of ,the ,salvation ,army4 ,,standards ,,of ,,life ,,and ,,service ,i ,god's ,call ',what manner of persons ought ye to be8' 7#b ,peter iii4 #aa47 ',as ,he which hath called you is holy1 so be ye holy in all manner of conversation2 ,because it is written1 ,be ye holy2 for ,i am holy4' 7#a ,peter i4 #ae1 #af47 ,when we set up standards for life and character we must be quite clear that our teaching fits in with ,god's purpose as revealed towards ,his people4 ,therefore1 when we enforce the doctrine of personal ,holiness1 there is no reason more weighty than that which ,peter gives us in the verses quoted1 namely1 that ,god calls us to ,holiness4 ,the statement ,i have read seems to me to show that it is a mistake to suppose that personal ,holiness is left optional4 ,many people go to ,meetings1 and1 when they are shown the teachings of the ,bible about ,holiness1 they recognize that it is a state of being cleansed1 filled with the love of ,god1 and kept by the indwelling ,holy ,ghost4 ,they see it as a very desirable thing and a possible experience4 ,but1 somehow or other1 they sit and listen1 come and go1 and seem to have the idea that it is quite left to themselves whether they should obey the call and claim this blessing or not4 ,some talk as if there were two roads to ,heaven2 ,i mean the sinning and repenting life2 falling down and getting up again2 persevering in their journey with just enough religion to make them want to save their souls from going to ,hell1 in contradistinction to the experience of the saintly man or woman who says1 ',by ,god's help ,i am going to live a life without sin6 ,i am going to have my heart fully sanctified1 and walk in the will of ,god4' ,some1 ,i am afraid1 even go so far as to deliberately say1 ',holiness is a very good thing if you want it2 but ,i am not quite prepared for this1 or to give up this1 that1 and the other4 ,i think ,i shall get on very well as ,i am4 ,if you want the blessing ,i am glad to see you go in for it4' ,that is what ,i mean when ,i talk about people regarding the matter as if it were optional2 and ,i like these words of ,peter's because they show us a direct command3 ',be ye holy1 for ,i am holy'4 ,they fit in also with the other injunction3 ',come out from among them1 and be ye separate1 and touch not the unclean thing'4 ,it is a grand and glorious privilege to have a clean heart2 to have ,god ,almighty coming and taking full possession of you2 and to have ,his ,holy ,spirit day by day1 filling your heart with love and keeping you in ,divine fellowship4 ,but ,i want you also to realize that it is a binding duty upon every follower of ,jesus ,christ to seek to become holy4 ,i think it was ,john ,wesley who said something to the effect that professing ,christians who had not got the blessing of a clean heart1 or were not earnestly seeking to be delivered from sin1 could not consistently be regarded as ,christians at all4 ,i do not put it as strongly as that2 but ,i do1 from deep conviction1 say this to you1 that every ,salvationist1 and other persons who1 in ,meetings of this kind1 are taught that the will of ,god is that they shall be delivered from all sin1 that they shall live a life of purity and ,holiness1 that they shall walk in the enjoyment of a ,full ,salvation1 and yet are not willing to follow the light1 and do what they know ,god wants them to do1 are probably heart-backsliders1 and in a fair way to backslide altogether4 ,i tell you1 ,god has called you1 not unto uncleanness1 not to remain in a state of impurity1 but to ,holiness2 and he that despiseth that calling despiseth not man1 but ,god4 ,therefore1 ,i beg of you not to imagine that1 with clear light as to your duty1 and the possibility of ,full ,salvation1 you can either take it or leave it1 and yet remain in the favour of ,god4 ,then these verses are very useful because they set the standard for our personal spiritual condition4 ,need ,i explain what ,i mean by this8 ,let your minds turn to weights and measures1 and you will see my meaning exactly4 ,if you went to a draper's shop1 and asked for so many yards of material1 you would not be satisfied by his guessing the quantity--you would want it measured by the yard-stick1 the proper standard of measurement4 ,so with weights4 ,if you ask for so many pounds of sugar or potatoes1 it would not be for the shopman to say to you1 ',will that do for you8 ,put another in8 ,all right6 ,will that do8' ,you would say1 ',please weigh them properly according to standard'4 ,now it seems to me that in spiritual character we must have something by which we can measure and compare ourselves1 and ,peter gives us just such a standard when he says1 ',as ,he which hath called you is holy1 so be ye holy'4 ,the standard is the character of ,god4 ,if ,peter had said1 ',as ,he is almighty1 so be ye almighty'1 or1 ',as ,he is infallible1 so be ye infallible'1 then at once you would know that the standard was altogether out of your reach1 and could not be realized4 ,but1 if you are a ,christian at all1 your inmost conviction tells you that to be holy is a reasonable requirement1 and the law of consistency endorses it4 ,as you study your ,bibles you will find many references to this standard of conformity with the ,divine character1 and will quickly see that nothing short of that can satisfy4 ,it is not only the standard that exists in the ,divine mind1 but the world rightly expects that we1 as ,christian men and women1 shall be holy4 ,i know the world is very often disappointed1 and that1 unfortunately1 the failures of some so-called ,christian people are used as an excuse for disregarding the claims of ,god1 but the world is right in expecting us to live holy lives4 ,that passage of ,peter's contains a significant reminder in the sentence1 ',be ye holy in all manner of conversation'4 ,now1 that word1 'conversation'1 has a much broader meaning in old ,english than the sense attached to our common use of it1 generally limiting the word to mean intercourse between each other by speech4 ,here it really means the whole manner of living4 ,to me it is a matter of unspeakable joy to think that there is no right association1 no duty1 and no proper relationship in life that cannot be wholly sanctified and have ,god's smile upon it4 ,your eatings and drinkings1 your speakings1 your workings1 your dressings1 your courtings and marriages1 also many other things1 such as business and recreation1 can all be sanctified1 and the functions performed in harmony with the profession of ,holiness and the maintenance of a clean heart4 ,but do not miss the true inwardness of this command3 ',be ye holy1 for ,i am holy'4 ,it is this--we cannot live up to the true standard1 we cannot fulfil life's obligation1 without a sanctified heart4 ,the ,general very frequently says1 with reference to the failures of certain classes of people who call themselves ,christians1 that they make the mistake of supposing that they can keep the holy law of ,god with an unholy heart4 ,the thing is absolutely impossible1 and ,i should only be deluding you if ,i told you otherwise4 ,we sometimes say that in ,heaven there is1 and ever will be1 an unwavering fulfilment of the highest will of ,god4 ,but what secures that condition in ,heaven8 ,do you think it is the absence of a personal ,devil8 ,not only that--although the hope of it counts for a good deal with some of us4 ,do you think it is the absence of wicked surroundings and temptations from evil men and women8 ,not only that4 ,do you think it is the possession of things that produce unfailing pleasure and satisfaction8 ,not only that4 ,it is just the fact that every heart is confirmed in its perfect acceptance of the ,father's will1 and is in the fullest conformity with the holy law of a holy ,god4 ,there are many other things that go to make up ,heaven1 but without that there can be no ,heaven at all4 ,did you repeat the ,lord's ,prayer this morning8 ,if so1 you came to that little sentence1 ',thy will be done on earth as it is done in ,heaven'4 ,now1 ,i ask you1 do you really mean that8 ,do you honestly want that for yourselves8 ,because1 unless you can put yourselves in line with that petition1 unless there is a compliance with these words of ,peter's1 ',be ye holy1 for ,i am holy'1 you can never get that prayer answered4 ,,ii ,consecration ,complete ',present your bodies a living sacrifice1 holy1 acceptable unto ,god1 which is your reasonable service4' 7,romans xii4 #a47 ,surely1 amongst those who love ,god and desire ,his ,kingdom to come1 there can be no difference of opinion with regard to the duty of whole-hearted consecration to the service of ,god4 ,the rightness of ,god's claims is beyond dispute among ,his own people2 and so it ought to be recognized as our absolute duty to yield fully to those claims4 ,the feeling of every professed servant of ,christ ought to be1 nay1 surely is1 ',i am not my own2 ,i am bought with a price3 ,i should therefore glorify ,god in my body and soul1 which are ,god's'4 ,whilst1 however1 in so many words all this is acknowledged1 when it comes to practically facing the question1 with its personal responsibility1 how few there are who respond to the claims of the ,master1 rendering ,him that out-and-out devotion of which we hear and speak4 ,of a consecration that consists in attending ,holiness ,meetings1 singing hymns1 and uniting in prayers full of the most sublime sentiment1 we have an abundance4 ,with eyes closed and hands upraised1 many vow that henceforth they will live1 not unto themselves1 but unto ,him who died for them1 and rose again2 but when the ,meetings are over1 the surroundings changed1 and the actual duty presents itself1 how much of this consecration is found to be mere sentiment1 for 'as the early cloud and morning dew' so it passeth6 #a4 ,now1 let it be understood that real consecration is a practical thing4 ,i have a saying1 which cannot be repeated too often--'that which ,i give away ,i no longer have'4 ,if we can only persuade people to recognize that truth1 and make their consecration on these lines1 something practical will follow4 ,men like to say1 ',i am the ,lord's6' but when the ,lord wants to make practical use of ,his own1 ,oh1 what backwardness to obey6 ,what slowness of speech on the part of the tongue that was professedly given to the ,lord6 ,what weariness of body will sometimes be found when that body is demanded by the ,master for some special service6 ,a dumb devil seems to take possession of the tongue1 and the fear of man brings a snare1 and all this often results in a shameful compromise4 ,the fact is1 much of the popular consecration means1 ',everything in general and nothing in particular'--mere words1 clouds without water1 leaves without fruit--and the world is little better for the vows that have been made4 ,we may want to follow ,jesus without denying ourselves2 but ,he says plainly that we cannot4 ,if any man will deny himself1 and take up his cross daily1 and follow ,christ1 he1 and he only1 shall be a true disciple4 ,real1 true consecration is a plain1 matter-of-fact piece of business2 sublime1 not so much because of the character of the work it does1 as because of the constraining love that is the motive and the results flowing from it4 ,the beautiful halo and glamour clinging round our vows and prayers and songs during a ,meeting1 are gratifying to our senses2 but real consecration manifests itself in hard1 self-denying labour1 when no eye but ,his sees2 often1 perhaps1 when no heart but ,his appreciates1 and no voice but ,his commends4 ,the halo no longer seen1 the glamour no longer felt1 the soul steps forward and meets its duty1 and1 in the strength of ,god1 does it3 that is the consecration which tells for ,god and the ,kingdom4 #b4 ,let us also understand that real consecration is an 'all-round' thing4 ,many recognize the claims of ,god in great things1 but are not so particular in the ordinary matters of everyday life4 ,i recall a young man1 who1 in private ,meetings1 and on the platform1 would go into rhapsodies as he spoke of his love for a perishing world1 and his intense desire to be sent on some great mission4 ,i spoke to him of the hundreds of recklessly godless men with whom he daily associated at his work1 and who lived round about his house1 and asked him what he did in reference to these4 ,need ,i tell you how suddenly this man collapsed8 ,he did not think that consecration meant such a commonplace thing as being faithful in the ordinary duties and walks of life1 for ,i had inquired as to what happened when the men gathered for meals or conversation in the intervals of work4 ,does it seem to some of you an evidence of entire consecration that we stand on platforms and lead ,meetings1 or are doing some work which draws other eyes towards us in appreciation of--what is deemed--untiring devotion8 ,well1 ,i trust that the appearance does not go beyond the spirit of the business2 but ,i tell you1 the real test lies elsewhere4 ,it shows itself in such an abandonment to ,god and the interests of the ,kingdom1 that no duty is felt too small or trifling4 ,the man is not found saying1 ',i'll do this'1 or ',i won't do that'1 and 'that doesn't matter'2 but whatsoever his hand findeth to do1 he does with his might1 and does it unto the ,lord4 ,be not deceived1 my friends4 ,consecration in great things will not atone for neglect in smaller and more trifling matters1 and that only is a perfect consecration which is real and all round in its application4 ,in little things and great things self is to be denied1 ignored1 and ,god and ,his glory to be the one end from attaining which the consecrated soul never swerves4 ,let this be faced at the commencement1 and it will save endless controversy later on4 ,it is because so many do not take all this in at the beginning1 that disappointments come1 and very often breakdowns4 ,let your consecration take in all time and circumstances1 and remember that the soul's responsibility is only limited by its opportunities4 ',all for ,jesus' should mean 'nothing left out'4 #c4 ,whole-hearted consecration is a joyous thing4 ,i don't know how the delusion has become so popular that entire devotion to the service of ,god means melancholy and sadness1 and irksome duties and burdens4 ,it may have only come by a roundabout road1 but it is a doctrine of the ,devil1 who is a liar from the beginning1 and the fully consecrated soul hurls the lie back to its father1 proclaiming1 with a heart full of gladness1 ',i delight to do ,thy will1 my ,god'2 ',my meat and my drink is to do the will of my ,father'1 and ',his fruit is sweet to my taste'4 ,singleness of purpose and simplicity of intention soon clear discontent and unhappiness out of a man's heart4 ,when the soul has cut loose from all self-considerations1 and has put an end to such wretched questions as1 ',will it pay to follow the ,master8' or such thoughts as1 ',if ,i give myself fully to ,god1 perhaps ,i shall have to suffer the loss of many things ,i hold dear2 people will be down upon me1 and chaff me1 and1 perhaps1 persecute me2 and1 besides1 ,i really do want to make a little money for myself and my family1 and ,i must not be righteous over-much'2 when1 ,i say1 men or women have cast aside all such thoughts1 and come to the determination to live for ,god and for ,god alone1 then indeed are they freed from many things which cause sadness and bitterness4 ,it is the double-minded who are strangers to true lasting joy and peace4 ,the great sorrows of most lives spring from disappointed ambitions1 covetousness1 or from love of praise1 fear of man1 or similar things2 but when this life of selfishness is crucified1 and a man is alive only unto ,god1 none can deprive him of that which he most values4 ,whilst others may be saying1 ',we know thy poverty'1 he hears the ,lord say1 ',but thou art rich'4 ,christ has been revealed to him as a living ,friend1 and though by the outward eye he sees ,him not1 'yet believing1 he rejoices with joy unspeakable and full of glory'4 ,do you remember what ,john said about that white stone which will be given to him that overcometh8 ,it had 'written in it a new name which no man knoweth save he who receiveth it'4 ,the joy of whole-hearted service for ,god is like that2 no man really understands it save he who possesses it1 but of its reality thousands daily testify4 ,are you fully consecrated8 ,not after the fashion we spoke of at the beginning1 but practically1 and in a whole-hearted1 all-round way8 ,have you settled it to go all lengths for ,god8 ,if not1 ',i beseech you1 by the mercies of ,god1 that ye present your bodies--yourselves--a living sacrifice1 holy1 acceptable unto ,god1 which is your reasonable service'4 ,,iii ,divine ,fellowship ',that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you1 that ye also may have fellowship with us3 and truly our fellowship is with the ,father1 and with ,his ,son ,jesus ,christ4'4 7#a ,john i4 #c47 ,my mind and heart have been dwelling upon that sweet word 'fellowship'4 ,we all know what it means in ordinary social intercourse--it means acquaintance1 friendship1 communion of spirit1 interchange of thought and feeling4 ,but ,i want you to see that all this marks the fellowship prevailing between the ,lord and ,his sanctified saints4 ,there is a chorus we sometimes sing1 which expresses something of what ,i mean3-- ,friendship with ,jesus1 ,fellowship ,divine2 ,oh1 what blessed1 sweet communion1 ,jesus is a ,friend of mine6 ,i have been reflecting on this principle as it works itself out in the current everyday life of the sanctified4 ,i will not now try to exhaust all the wonderful things in the vision which has come to me in relation to this matter1 for ,i really could not explain to you all that has been in my mind and heart1 but the thing has come to me somewhat in this fashion3-- #a4 ,first of all1 ,i have thought of the fellowship of ,salvation4 ,that may sound rather low down for a ,holiness ,meeting1 and yet that is just where true fellowship began1 so far as ,i was concerned4 ,there had to be a co-operation1 a uniting of ,god and myself before my soul could be saved at all4 ,two words were in my mind--',he' and ',i'2 ,he doing ,his part1 and ,i doing my part4 ,his heart2 my heart2 ,his approaches to me by the power and influence of ,his ,holy ,spirit2 my approaches to ,him4 ,jesus died2 ,i believed4 ,he called2 ,i answered4 ,he gave2 ,i accepted4 ,i trusted1 and ,jesus saved me4 ,i want you to see what ,i mean1 because it was that union of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ and my own heart which brought life1 and light1 and peace to my soul4 ,my ,salvation life began at that point1 and ,i was able to say1 as we often sing3-- ',tis done1 the great transaction's done1 ,i am my ,lord's1 and ,he is mine2 ,he drew me1 and ,i followed on1 ,charmed to confess the ,voice ,divine4 #b4 ,then1 pursuing this line1 my reflection brings me up to this3 there is a fellowship of love4 ',he loved me1 and ,he gave ,himself for me'4 ,we love ,him because ,he first loved us4 ,so1 you see1 our relationship has been built up1 and is to be built up1 upon that double plank4 ,it is all in that4 ,i do not suppose there is anybody in this ,hall who does not know something of the power of love4 ,you not only know the power of loving1 but the sweetness of being loved4 ,i am not quite sure which is the better side of the two1 but they are two beautiful sides of fellowship4 ,do we not see it in our family life8 ,at any rate1 ,i do4 ,i can speak for myself in this matter because my family always has been a very affectionate one1 and this loving and expressing our love to one another has brought us very close together4 ,i think about the children4 ,i go back to the time when they were little1 and remember how they would climb upon my knee1 and how they used to press their little faces against mine1 and their little hearts1 as it were1 against my breast2 and how1 with more feeling than their words could express1 they used to say1 ,dadda1 papa1 father1 you are a dear6 ,i do love you6' ,you would readily imagine what ,i should say back to them4 ,it has been just the same with my wife4 ,she has sweetened my life very much with her expressions of love4 ,she has done it by responding to my appeals1 and by sharing my sorrows and joys4 ,and ,i have no doubt that were she here to speak for herself1 she would say she has equally felt the force and sweetness of my expressions of affection during the many years we have loved and lived together4 ,i have only told you these things because ,i want you to see that the fellowship of love is just as real between the ,lord ,jesus ,christ and the soul that is set upon ,him1 as it is in these sacred human relationships4 #c4 ,then there is the fellowship of service4 ,now1 it follows that1 if we are fully saved1 we are and we should be workers together with ,god1 not simply going out on 'our own'1 as you young people say sometimes1 trying to do people good2 but really1 if it is as it ought to be1 your relations are expressed in those words1 ',we are workers together with ,god'4 ,there are several particulars about that fellowship of service which ,i want you to note4 ,for instance1 there is the union of purpose4 ,you cannot have fellowship with ,god in service without a union of purpose4 ,are you in for that8 ,perhaps it may give my words a closer application if ,i glance at two or three references3 ',for this purpose was the ,son of ,god manifested1 that ,he might destroy the works of the ,devil'4 ,are you in union with ,him for that purpose8 ,there is the reason round about us1 plain and visible enough4 ,take another3 ',to this end came ,i into the world that ,i might bear witness of the truth'4 ,are you in union with ,him in that witness-bearing8 ,i assure you there is a great need of it4 ,take still another3 ',as the ,father hath sent ,me1 even so'--that is a very powerful little link--'even so send ,i you'4 ,there is not only the sender and the one sent1 but the same purpose in both minds4 ,there is the unity of effort2 that is1 being yoked together for the work4 ,it is a beautiful thing to be yoked with loving comrades in service1 so that when there is a difficulty to face1 some burden to be carried1 or something to be moved1 then you can go in for a good pull1 a strong pull1 and a pull all together4 ,but this fellowship with ,christ really means having ,jesus ,christ as a yoke-fellow in your work for ,god2 that as you are not your own1 you are not left to yourselves1 but find that ,he is yoked up with you1 and when the pull comes it is pulling together--,he pulls and you pull4 #d4 ,then this service sometimes goes so far as to become the fellowship of suffering4 ,jesus ,christ could only redeem men by the sacrifice of ,himself4 ,there was no other way1 and if ,he had not done that man would not have been redeemed1 and the whole world would have remained under the ban of condemnation and without hope4 ,it is on the same track that we must work out our union with ,him in the service of ,god and humanity4 ,when ,i was meditating on this ,divine union a picture imaged itself before my mind4 ,the scene was a prison in ,rome1 where was seated a prisoner for ,christ's sake2 his name was ,paul4 ,during a visit to ,rome they showed me the place where this was supposed to have occurred4 ,there is ,paul1 in this prison-cell1 writing a letter which he wants to send by one who1 having visited him in prison1 is now returning to his own people at ,philippi4 ,the prisoner is reviewing his life4 ,he writes that he was well-born1 a ,hebrew of the ,hebrews1 and that he became very zealous1 and persecuted the ,christians until the ,lord met him and converted him4 ,he went on1 ',but what things were gain to me1 those ,i counted loss for ,christ4 ,yea1 doubtless1 and ,i count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of ,christ ,jesus my ,lord3 for whom ,i have suffered the loss of all things1 and do count them but dung1 that ,i may win ,christ4444 ,that ,i may know ,him1 and the power of ,his resurrection1 and the fellowship of ,his sufferings1 being made conformable unto ,his death4' ,and on the same page of his letter ,paul says3 ',brethren1 be followers together of me'4 ,it is one of the plainest things which the ,bible and ,christian history confirm1 that the union of service does very often include the fellowship of suffering4 #e4 ,the last feature of this relationship which ,i want to name is fellowship of victory and glory4 ,thank ,god1 we are in for that fellowship6 ,we all know that a great victory will crown our ,blessed ,lord's sacrificial life and service2 that the great ,victor over death and the grave shall not only see of the travail of ,his soul and be satisfied1 but as ,he sits upon ,his throne there will be many crowns of glory4 ,but the blessedness of that knowledge is the fact that if we suffer with ,christ we are also to reign with ,him--glorified together--not only workers and victors1 but 'more than conquerors'4 ,we are to sit down among that company who are able to say that they overcame by the ,blood of the ,lamb1 and by the word of their testimony4 ,we may have to go on with the service and suffering1 but we know that we shall be transformed into ,his blessed likeness1 and be sharers of ,his glory4 ,salvation1 love1 service1 victory1 glory6 ,these are the things which we share with our ,lord1 and that is what ,i mean by ,divine fellowship4 ,i do not think1 however1 ,i can leave this soul-entrancing vision of fellowship without specially indicating how men may enter into it4 ,how shall ,i do this8 ,by reading to you these words from the ,first ,epistle of ,john3 ',this then is the message which we have heard of ,him1 and declare unto you1 that ,god is light1 and in ,him is no darkness at all4 ,if we say that we have fellowship with ,him1 and walk in darkness1 we lie1 and do not the truth4 ,but if we walk in the light1 as ,he is in the light1 we have fellowship one with another1 and the ,blood of ,jesus ,christ ,his ,son cleanseth us from all sin4' ,who shall participate in the joy of this experience8 ,the people who walk in the light2 the people who are cleansed from all sin in the ,blood of ,jesus4 ,,iv ,finding ,god ',ye shall seek ,me1 and find ,me1 when ye shall search for ,me with all your heart4' 7,jeremiah xxix4 #ac47 ,the words of ,jeremiah in their relation to ,god are very appropriate for men and women in whose hearts there is any longing after personal ,holiness4 ,look at them3 ',ye shall seek ,me1 and find ,me1 when ye shall search for ,me with all your heart'4 ,i like this word1 because it turns our minds to the true and only source of light and life and power4 ,we speak of seeking and getting the blessing2 but1 in reality1 the object is to find ,god1 and that deliverance and blessing which can be secured only from ,him4 ,in our prayers and songs we express a great fact when we say1 ',thy gifts1 alas6 cannot suffice unless ,thyself be given'4 ,less than ,thyself1 ,oh1 do not give1 ,in might ,thyself within me live1 ,come1 all ,thou hast and art4 ,i want to make it plain that ,holiness is an aspect of religion in which the personality of ,god is very real4 ,we must find ,god1 and have ,him possessing and dwelling within us if we are to live the life and do the work which ,full ,salvation implies4 ,to realize this ,divine union is as essential as to experience the forgiveness of sin4 ,we must know ,god as well as worship ,him1 and the text ,i have read indicates to us that the discovery of a personal ,god belongs to the heart3 ',ye shall seek ,me1 and find ,me1 when ye shall search for ,me with all your heart'4 ,god's power displayed in ,nature may be perceived by the eye1 the ear1 and other organs of the senses4 ,on the lines of the ,psalmist1 we may walk out at night1 and consider the heavens the work of ,his fingers1 and exclaim1 ',all ,thy works praise ,thee'2 ',the heavens declare the glory of ,god2 and the firmament sheweth ,his handywork'4 ,the mind also by reflection and deduction may clothe the ,creator with attributes or qualities of character1 such as ,almighty skill and benevolence2 but 'spiritual things are spiritually discerned'2 and it is only when ,god reveals ,himself to the heart that ,he is truly known as a personal ,father1 ,friend1 and ,saviour4 ,to the formal religionist or the casual dealer in pious phrases and occasional prayers1 these revelations do not come4 ,it is when the heart is set upon finding ,god that realizing faith makes-- ,the clouds disperse1 the shadows fly1 ,the invisible appears in sight1 ,and ,god is seen by mortal eye4 ,we urge men and women to thus seek ,god1 because ,he alone can meet their need2 ,he alone can save after the fashion that they need a ,saviour2 ,he alone1 having forgiven1 can break the power of sin1 and cleanse from natural impurity4 ,but the real trouble with some is that they do not seek ,full ,salvation with that full purpose of heart which the prophet's words imply4 ,in a sense they want the blessing1 but ,i fear they do not want it enough to make them put their whole heart into seeking ,god's sanctifying power4 ,turn to the ,garden of ,gethsemane1 on that final night when certain men came to take ,jesus4 ,when they fain would have included and taken others1 ,his words1 you remember1 were1 ',if ye seek ,me1 let these go their way'4 ,now1 may ,i not reasonably apply these words to some who regularly attend our ,meetings1 but do not obtain the blessing8 ,you are holding on to things about which it requires no stretch of imagination to hear ,christ say1 ',if ye seek ,me1 let these go their way'4 ,he desires to be your ,saviour and ,sanctifier1 but cannot until you drop the things which hinder and which come between you and ,him4 ,some of these things may not be positively evil in themselves1 but they are associated with things which are evil or questionable2 doubtful pursuits1 questionable friendships or conduct4 ,do you care enough about ,god and ,holiness to drop all such8 ,some have not done so up to the present1 and it is about these very things which hinder that ,jesus says to you1 ',if ye seek ,me1 let these things go'4 ,then1 again1 some have not found ,god as a perfect ,sanctifier1 because their minds are not fully made up as to the lines of service and duty4 ,the general meaning of our various topics may be put thus1 ',holiness1 and what comes out of it'4 ,not simply spiritual blessings as an inward experience1 but a gift to be lived out in daily toil and effort to spread the ,kingdom4 ,we must have that or our teaching will be rightly regarded as 'goody-goody'1 and be of little real use4 ,a very fine young woman1 on the occasion of my visit to a certain town1 offered herself as a ,candidate for ,army ,officership4 ,hearing that the case did not mature1 ,i inquired a little later1 from an ,officer who had seen her1 what the difficulty was1 and he repeated to me the explanation she had given him3 ',well1 ,colonel1 ,i have changed my mind2 ,i have left ,the ,army and become a ,christian'4 ,that seems a strange putting of the position2 but ,i fear that it was with her1 as with some of you who have sought to dodge the cross1 escape the toil1 and evade the testimony1 the sacrifice1 and the service which are indispensable to the maintenance of ,holiness4 ,instead of trying to escape from duty as it is revealed to us from day to day1 our hearts should be tuned up to the idea in the song1 which says-- ,for thee delightfully employ ,what e'er ,thy bounteous grace hath given2 ,and run my course with even joy1 ,and closely walk with ,thee to ,heaven4 ,the central thought of ,jeremiah's text is beautifully illustrated in the ,parable of the ,lost ,piece of ,silver4 ,look at this woman's anxious concern and corresponding action2 she lights the candle--that is1 uses what light she has2 she sweeps the house--turns everything over2 she searches diligently--keeps at it1 not giving up at the first disappointment4 ,observe also the effect upon herself when her search is successful4 ,full of satisfaction she calls in her neighbours and friends--',rejoice with me1 for ,i have found the piece which ,i had lost'4 ,loud in her testimony1 she delights in making her blessing known4 ,you see1 this woman so valued the piece of silver1 that she gave herself up to the search for it1 and nothing satisfied her until she found it4 ,when men appreciate the importance of having a clean heart and the blessing of ,god like that1 they will not seek long without result4 ,there are two or three things implied in this whole-hearted search after ,god which need to be emphasized4 ,of these ,i will name1 first1 intensity of desire4 ,there are blessings that come like ,god's rain and sunshine1 sought or unsought2 but no man ever got a clean heart who did not badly want it2 and if ,god is to sanctify and keep you in the enjoyment of the blessing1 your heart will have to be moved by strong desire4 ,jesus put it clearly when ,he talked about 'hungering and thirsting'4 ,even prayer1 without strong desire1 does not accomplish much4 ',what things soever ye desire'2 it is that which gives intensity to your prayers1 as well as 'believing that ye receive'4 ,the ,psalmist's words are equally fitting--',as the hart panteth after the water brooks'--as the hunted deer longs for the stream--'so panteth my soul after ,thee1 ,o ,god'4 ,that means more than a contention for the doctrine1 more than a sentimental admiration of ,holiness4 ,it implies the deep stirrings of conviction1 the heart moved by strong cravings1 the crying out1 ',oh1 that ,i might find ,him whom my soul desireth'6 ,this whole-hearted seeking the blessing also implies fullness of intention4 ,how often ,i have spoken of the relation of the will2 the choice1 the setting of the mind in strong purpose1 the decision--',i ought1 ,i must1 ,i will secure ,god's sanctifying blessing'2 all this counts for much4 ,people speak of their desires and hopes1 but how slow they are to make up their minds that1 at all costs1 they will seek and find a ,saviour1 by whose power they shall be fully delivered1 and kept in purity and fellowship with ,god4 ,i like those ,bible words about 'sincerity'1 'following the ,lord fully'1 'cleaving unto ,him with full purpose of heart'1 for it is to people in that state of mind that ,god reveals ,himself4 ,finally1 compliance with ,god's conditions is included in whole-heartedly seeking ,holiness4 ,the revealed conditions of entire ,sanctification have often been stated1 but may be repeated once more3 a turning from all things known to be evil or doubtful2 a full surrender and dedication of ourselves to ,god's service2 and a simple trust in the all-cleansing ,blood of ,jesus ,christ4 ,the real tests are different with different people1 but all who seek this blessing must face ,god's conditions1 and pay the price by complying with them1 not only as ,i have stated the conditions in general terms1 but as the ,holy ,spirit reveals them to each one personally4 ,to one it is1 ',do this'1 to another ',do that'2 ',give up this'1 or ',give up that'2 ',trust ,me for this'1 ',trust ,me for that'4 ,but all who cast themselves fully into ,god's hands1 letting ,him have ,his own way with them1 shall find the truth of ,jeremiah's message1 ',ye shall seek ,me1 and find ,me1 when ye shall search for ,me with all your heart'4 ,v ,the ,doctrine ,adorned ',but shewing all good fidelity2 that they may adorn the doctrine of ,god our ,saviour in all things4' 7,titus ii4 #aj47 ,those of us who are specially interested in this great work often seek for plans by which the knowledge and enjoyment of a ,full ,salvation may be extended4 ,i think ,i have found a good plan for helping the ,kingdom forward1 and ,i see it in this little sentence which ,paul wrote to ,titus3 ',that they may adorn the doctrine of ,god our ,saviour in all things'4 ,when ,i say that is a plan for spreading ,salvation1 ,i mean simply this3 as there is nothing which commends an apple-tree so much as the sight of the ripened fruit hanging from the branches1 so nothing sets people longing for ,holiness like the living exhibition of it4 ,first of all1 ,i want you to see the force of that little word 'adorn'4 ,in speaking about adornment we usually mean something more than necessary dress4 ,the word in our minds usually expresses the idea of clothing or covering1 with the addition of decorations or ornaments4 ,if you fathers and mothers ask your boy or girl the meaning of the word1 they will probably turn to the dictionary1 and tell you something like this3 ',to adorn is to set off to advantage1 to add to the attractiveness1 to beautify1 to decorate as with ornaments'4 ,now that is exactly what the ,apostle meant1 and the application is that you and ,i must set off to advantage1 add to the attractiveness of the ,gospel which we profess to believe4 ,jesus ,christ meant that when ,he said1 ',let your light so shine before men1 that they may see your good works'--and be so influenced that they shall 'glorify your ,father which is in ,heaven'4 ,that also was the idea in ,paul's mind in that verse to the ,philippians1 ',shine as lights'1 or luminaries1 'in the world'4 ,will you also look at that word 'doctrine'8 ,it is not an acceptable word at public meetings1 generally implying some system of theology1 some stated creed1 some definition of religious belief4 ,but whilst that may be the general application1 the ,apostle had no such idea in his mind when he wrote these words4 ,he was now writing about persons many of whom were of very humble position1 servants in the houses of the ungodly1 often mere slaves in some pagan household4 ,they had never heard about formulated creeds or theologies1 but they did understand the duty of living up to their profession4 ,they knew the importance of showing in their daily lives the power of the things which they believed1 and thus commending their religious faith and teaching to all observers4 ,there are people who know very little of what you call 'the body of doctrine'1 who yet in all simplicity hold the truth of ,god1 and live up to it4 ,tens of thousands have crossed the ,river who could never give you a definition of any doctrine2 but they accepted the simple truths in their hearts1 were ornaments to their profession1 and are now in ,glory4 ,now take the two words together--'adorn' and 'doctrine'--and then you will see your duty4 ,there are many doctrines to which this duty of adorning may be made to apply4 ,i might talk to you about the doctrine relating to ,god's government1 and bring in the truth about ,his good guiding providence4 ,we profess to believe in that4 ,but the question is1 ,does your regular practice1 your daily trust1 your hourly following and accepting what ,god's providence sends you1 adorn the doctrine8 ,then ,i might also speak to you about the doctrine of prayer and its result4 ,surely you believe that ,god 'hears and answers prayer'4 ,but can you say that your life of faith and victory is such that all who know you believe it1 because they see you living a life of faith and victory such as can only come to the men and women whose prayers ,god does answer8 ,that is1 do you adorn the doctrine8 ,for the present purpose1 however1 ,i want to apply the principle to the doctrine of ,holiness4 ,the great object of these ,addresses is to help men and women into the enjoyment of the blessing of ,holiness4 ,we hear about that2 sing about that2 most of you believe in it1 and some of you proclaim it2 but do you know what is really wanted8 ,it is that you shall so manifest the spirit of ,holiness1 give such illustrations of it as to adorn the truth1 and make people around you say1 ',we are bound to believe the doctrine when we look at these people1 for they live the blessing'4 ,you cannot but know what we teach as the doctrine of ,holiness4 ,our trumpet has no uncertain sound4 ,we not only talk about the pardoning mercy of ,god1 but about the all-cleansing ,blood of ,jesus ,christ4 ,we not only point out how the rebel can be transformed into a child1 but we show how a man's heart can be made pure1 and his nature renewed by the indwelling ,spirit4 ,delivered from the love of sin and from its pollution in his heart1 he can be kept from sin and sinning1 and be enabled to rejoice evermore1 to pray without ceasing1 and in everything to give thanks4 ,a clean heart1 filled with love1 possessed and directed by the ,holy ,ghost--that is the experience which we call ,holiness1 and the truth which we are exhorted to adorn4 ,only think what a recommendation of the doctrine it would be if you all adorned the truth1 and showed in your daily lives the power to live in that ,holiness and righteousness of which ,i am speaking4 ,i am not now asking whether you have an intelligent comprehension of the doctrine1 or that you should say what is possible1 and what is not4 ,some of you could probably define the blessing as well as ,i can2 but your duty is not simply to define or defend or explain ,holiness1 but to adorn the teaching1 give exhibitions of it1 make everybody see what it means in living flesh and blood amidst the hurly-burly of life4 #a4 ,and now1 what are the means by which you and ,i can fulfil this exhortation of ,paul8 ,first1 you can adorn the doctrine by personal testimony4 ,personal testimony1 coming from the heart1 is always good and helpful2 that is1 to be able to say about any definite experience1 ',oh1 glory6 ,he has done it for me6' ,but this is especially valuable about a clean heart1 and in relation to a ,full ,salvation4 ,when ,i was a boy ,i sometimes heard the doctrine of ,entire ,sanctification discussed over pipes and ale2 but those discussions1 which were merely theological disputes1 had little or no relation to the personal experience of the people who were debating and contending and losing their tempers over the doctrine1 and so it made no impression on me4 ,years after1 my own heart was awakened1 and desires arose in my soul4 ,i began to search for the truth about it1 and to listen for references to it1 and most of all to rejoice if ,i could find or hear a clear testimony about it1 for then ,i saw the possibility of the blessing for myself4 ,i frequently throw my ,meetings open for testimony1 because ,i know the helpful power of such words4 ,sometimes the wording may be a little upside down1 or some qualifying term be left out1 or some exaggerating word put in2 but in spite of all1 great is the power of testimony to encourage other hearts4 ,i fear1 however1 that many people are silent who ought to speak1 and ,i touch some very closely when ,i say that owing to this silence the power of your experience has declined and become like a faded flower or a moth-eaten garment1 and then when you would fain speak you find the assurance about the blessing has waned4 ,my word1 therefore1 to you is1 first of all get the blessing1 then at every suitable opportunity1 profess it openly and boldly for ,god1 and by your happy testimony you will adorn the doctrine of ,holiness4 #b4 ,again1 you can adorn the doctrine by your consistent living4 ,to profess one thing and practise another is a blot on the profession1 and a despicable thing4 ,what ,i may call mere ,meeting piety1 platform or parlour ,holiness1 will not stand the weather4 ,it is too much like the painted sparrows sold as canaries--the paint comes off and the real nature of the bird is revealed4 ,for instance1 how can you ornament the truth if1 after testifying here1 you go out to gossip and slander and injure your neighbour8 ,the word lived out is more powerful than its mere repetition4 ,the teaching may be good and powerful1 the testimony still more so2 but the evidence of the life and spirit is the most powerful of all4 ,i heard somebody tell a story about a man who was too pious to shave himself on ,sunday1 and yet he was pretty keen during the other six days trying1 in his business1 to 'shave' other people4 ,i hope you are not among that sort4 ,if you want to adorn this doctrine1 there must be the beauties of a happy1 consistent character and life1 otherwise it goes for nothing4 ,i do not ask the adornment of education1 nor the polish of culture1 so-called2 neither do ,i ask a sanctimonious attitude2 ,i only claim from you professors of the blessing the beauties of grace in your personal character and conduct4 ,the endorsement of the lip by the life is only equalled by the discount to the teaching caused by some inconsistent action or unfaithfulness in the teacher or professor4 ,an angry word1 even a flash of the eye1 has been known to take the point off some well-given talk or testimony4 ,a lack of kindly consideration1 which looks like selfish indulgence1 is not easily atoned for1 even by illuminating speeches4 ,as one has said1 ',the words ever go to the level of the life--up or down'4 ,talking about ,holiness has small effect unless it is to be seen in your disposition1 in your ordinary life1 in your loving consideration for other people1 or in your patient endurance of injury1 real or imaginary4 ,without that your profession of ,holiness is mere talk without adorning4 #c4 ,you must also adorn the doctrine by your zeal for ,god and souls4 ,holiness means the possession of the ,christ-spirit1 the passion for saving others1 with reasonable efforts to secure what you seek4 ,when ,god sanctifies your soul ,he makes a great inward light2 the purpose is not to be your own selfish enjoyment1 but that you may be better qualified as a minister of blessing and ,salvation to the poor dark souls around you4 ,the love of souls is an essential feature of inward ,holiness1 and if this is exhibited in practical effort you will adorn your profession and compel people to believe in your doctrine4 ,there is just one other word of importance in that verse1 'that they may adorn the doctrine of ,god our ,saviour'4 ,i mean the word1 ',saviour'4 ,i am so glad that is there to meet those who say1 ',ah6 you talk about adornments1 but ,i am distressed because ,i see so many things about me that disfigure and discredit the doctrine'4 ,you feel that you need a power which can give deliverance from the worldly spirit1 the light and frivolous disposition1 bad tempers1 resentments1 and other selfish and sinful things which hold you more or less in bondage2 but in that beautiful word1 ',saviour'1 you have a pledge1 a guarantee that it can be made all right1 for ,he is able to deliver you and save you fully4 ,,vi ,sureness ',the work of righteousness shall be peace2 and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever4' 7,isaiah xxxii4 #ag47 ,one reason why ,i glory in teaching ,full ,salvation is that it includes a religion of certainty4 ,it brings a man to a place of sureness as to his religious relationships4 ,a soul just awakened to a sense of responsibility is naturally full of wonderment and anxiety1 and this must be disposed of4 ,so that when we speak of a man obtaining ,salvation1 we say 'he found peace'4 ,doubt is torment1 and torment is the opposite of peace4 ,the soul cannot rest if it is perpetually on the string4 ,to enjoy religion the mind must be settled about the main facts of the case2 there must be a feeling of sureness as to one's acceptance with ,god and ,his approval of our spiritual condition4 ,we have a wily old ,devil to deal with1 and ,i believe that nothing gives him more malicious delight than to get sincere souls into the bondage of fear as to their state and standing4 ,i believe many sincere souls hesitate to claim the blessing1 and say they have it1 because they are afraid of deluding themselves or deceiving others by their testimonies4 ,afraid to do right for fear of doing wrong1 they go on1 sometimes happy1 sometimes sad1 falling into discouragement and doubt1 and allowing the ,devil to get an advantage over them in this respect4 ,now1 we cannot dispute the fact that in the experiences of good people there are many points of difference4 ,temptations1 surroundings1 position1 and work are the cause of these differences4 ,but in the midst of all1 there is the possibility and blessed privilege of being sure about one's own rightness before ,god4 ,i saw a reference the other day to ,charles ,spurgeon's method of treating this matter4 ,he showed how disturbing and distressing it would be if1 in our domestic life1 we had elements of uncertainty such as many people have in regard to their spiritual relationships4 ,after quoting the old verse3-- ',tis a point ,i long to know1 ,oft it causes anxious thought2 ,do ,i love the ,lord or no1 ,am ,i ,his or am ,i not8 ,mr4 ,spurgeon made a humorous parody of the verse by making it read3-- ',tis a point ,i long to know1 ,oft it causes anxious thought2 ,do ,i love my wife or no1 ,am ,i hers or am ,i not8 ,uncertainty about our religious condition is quite as unsatisfactory as any doubt about our most sacred domestic relationships4 ,sureness is vital to peace1 and the truly sanctified soul will live in the region of certainty1 ,divine things and ,divine revelations becoming definite and real to him4 ,temptations to doubt and fear will arise2 but1 in spite of them1 those who are sanctified realize that the ,blood cleanses and the ,holy ,spirit dwells within4 ,i will not ask whether you have any religion or not1 because most of you are professors of religion1 but ,i do ask1 ,has your religion got this element of 'sureness' in it8 ,we must settle that point4 ,you may say1 ',if ,i am to be sure1 ,i must have evidence'4 ,quite so4 ,we will1 therefore1 glance together at several things about which you can either say1 ',it is so'1 or ',it is not so'1 and thus arrive at a reasonable conclusion as to where you are4 ,i will classify the evidence in this way3-- ,first1 there is the testimony of one's own consciousness1 or one's own spirit1 as ,paul puts it4 ,second1 there is the testimony of the ,spirit of ,god--the ,holy ,ghost4 ,third1 there will be the results manifest to ourselves and to others2 effects which testify just as reliably as the hanging fruit indicates the character and condition of any particular tree4 #a4 ,by the first class of evidence ,i do not mean a set of fanciful sensations1 or frames of feeling1 but such an exercise of our judgment1 when we examine the facts before us1 as will enable us to come to a sound and reasonable conclusion4 ,the witness of one's own spirit is largely a matter of consciousness and faith1 and it works like this3 ',i am not only conscious of ,god's revealed claims upon me1 and my own duty to ,him2 but1 as far as ,i understand1 ,i have put myself in line with what ,he wants me to be and do4 ,for instance1 ,i am told that whilst ,god will sanctify me ,i am able to sanctify myself4 ,i therefore ask1 ,have ,i so far co-operated with ,him as to come out and separate myself from evil8 ,if ,i am right ,i can say1 ,yes1 ,i have2 and as a further evidence of my sincerity ,i seek to abstain from all appearance of evil4' ,i am also commanded to present myself for practical and joyful service1 and ,i am told that ,i must believe such a sacrifice is acceptable because whatever touches the ,divine altar is holy4 ,now1 ,i can be quite sure as to my compliance with these demands1 and my willingness to live as a sanctified soul ought to live4 ,i know whether or not in these things ,i have done my part2 and1 if ,i know that ,i have1 ,i can then reasonably trust ,god or reckon on ,him to do ,his part4 ,that is what ,paul calls 'a good conscience toward ,god'1 and there is no presumption in such a conclusion4 ,if we turn to ,john's ,epistle we shall see how plainly he puts the truth about assurance4 ',if'1 says the ,apostle1 'our heart condemn us1 ,god is greater than our heart1 and knoweth all things'2 but 'if our heart condemn us not1 then have we confidence toward ,god'4 ,without this conscious sincerity it is useless to pray for the blessing1 for ,god cannot sanctify us whilst we are clinging to any known wrong or compounding with some doubtful habit or folly4 ,if1 on the other hand1 we are conscious that we have no reserves1 and accept by faith the cleansing ,blood as the cure for our heart's plague1 we may with all reasonableness say1 ',i have the testimony of my own spirit'4 #b4 ,let us look at the second class of evidence1 namely1 the testimony of the ,spirit of ,god--the assurance of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,if we are to be quite certain about the important things in relation to the soul1 we must have the expression of ,god's mind and approval4 ,nothing is made clearer in the ,apostolic writings than the fact that it is our blessed privilege to have this ,divine testimony4 ,paul not only tells us that 'the ,spirit beareth witness with our spirit1 that we are the children of ,god'1 but speaks of the marvellous manifestations of ,god in saved souls in subsequent revelations3 ',we have received the ,spirit1 which is of ,god2 that we might know the things that are freely given to us of ,god4' ,on first thought we might say1 perhaps1 that the gift would speak for itself4 ,but the ,lord goes beyond that by giving us not only the blessing itself1 but also the ,spirit to assure us that we have got the blessing4 ,john is on the same line when he says repeatedly about those spiritual blessings1 'we know'1 'we know that we know'1 and the secret of sureness is made clear1 'we know by the ,spirit which ,he hath given unto us'4 ,when we speak of the witness of the ,spirit1 either to our conversion or our sanctification1 we do not mean some audible voice or some miraculous demonstration1 but an inwrought conviction as to the correctness of our words when1 in all sincerity1 and to the glory of ,god1 we profess to have arrived at a certain point1 or obtained a certain blessing4 ,it is a conviction which removes doubt1 and satisfies the soul on the question4 ,the mode of this--the way in which the ,holy ,ghost does it--may be quite beyond our comprehension2 but the fact is there1 as far beyond dispute as with the assurance of the blind man1 who said1 ',this one thing ,i know1 that whereas once ,i was blind1 now ,i see'4 #c4 ,then ,i also used the word 'results'1 as indicating a class of evidence without which all other professed experiences are but passing sentiments and sensations4 ,in the character and life there must be results in the shape of those holy fruits of which ,i have so frequently spoken4 ,in a sense often described1 and well understood1 every child of ,god becomes at conversion the temple of the ,holy ,ghost2 we are born of the ,spirit2 enlightened by the ,spirit2 our spiritual life is sustained by the ,spirit4 ,the fruits of the ,spirit are therefore manifest in a greater or lesser degree1 but the advantage to the entirely sanctified is that not only is the fruit-bearing power increased1 but fruits of an opposite character are absent4 ,in other words1 the fully sanctified man is 'filled with the ,spirit'4 ,the fruits of righteousness1 which are by ,jesus ,christ1 are abundant in him4 ,to illustrate my meaning1 take one passage relating to that spiritual fruit described by the word love4 ',we know that we have passed from death unto life1 because we love the brethren4' ,now1 of course1 that comes into operation at conversion2 but in the fully sanctified this is love without admixture1 pure love1 without any feeling opposed to love4 ,we can soon test ourselves4 ,think of love in the forgiveness of injury2 the love which 'thinketh no evil'1 'envieth not'1 the love which 'worketh no ill to his neighbour'4 ,where does grudge-bearing1 backbiting1 or uncharitableness come in8 ,pride1 passion1 self-assertion1 and such things belong not to the results of sanctification2 the opposites are found in those who bring forth 'fruits unto ,holiness'4 ,i heard a good woman quote a passage with an application of her own which is true in point of fact1 even if not the precise meaning of the original writer4 ',great peace have they which love ,thy law1 and nothing shall offend them4' ,she meant1 literally1 that1 however she might be pained by the words or actions of those about her1 she would not be 'offended'4 ,this is a pretty high class of result1 for nothing is more common than the readiness to take offence4 ,but this refusal to take offence is1 with the other fruits1 clear proof that the heart and life are sanctified4 ,so ,i might work out this law of results4 ,these samples will1 however1 indicate my line of teaching4 ,now1 coming back to my thought at the beginning--the necessity for ',sureness' in regard to religion1 and especially in the experience of ,holiness--let me ask1 ,where are we found8 ,have the testings confirmed that certainty of heart1 or have my words disturbed self-satisfaction8 ,do not be afraid of facing the direct issue4 ,if you have the evidences referred to1 then be sure to go about proclaiming what ,god has done4 ,but if not1 then this unsatisfied and unsatisfactory condition cannot be persisted in when the ,fountain which cleanses is open for all1 and when the ,holy ,spirit is here to apply the ,blood1 and to take full possession of every soul4 ,let this be the hour when you come to the altar round which the cleansing stream so freely flows4 ,,vii ,the ,pathway of the ,holy ' ,an highway shall be there1 and a way1 and it shall be called ,the way of holiness4' 7,isaiah xxxv4 #h47 ,one would think that ,isaiah was speaking of two separate roads1 for his prophetic eye sees 'a highway and a way' along which the course of ,god's people runs4 ,perhaps we may interpret the prophet's distinction as referring to the higher and lower paths along some of the roadways in the ,holy ,city2 but he makes it quite plain that the course of the truly godly may be correctly described as ',the way of ,holiness'4 ,nobody here would like to say there are two separate roads to ,heaven1 but as we note the lives and experiences of many ,christian professors it really does appear that there are two levels on which they run their various religious courses--one the lower1 the other the higher path2 one lying oft in shadow1 the other up in the open sunshine of ,heaven2 one largely a profession of faith and repeated religious observances1 the other full of rich experiences and realizations of ,god's favour and spiritual gifts4 ,some people appear to step up and down according to seasons and inclinations1 when1 for instance1 ,holiness ,conventions and ,higher ,life ,conferences are on or off--like the man we heard testifying1 who thanked ,god that he had had no ins and outs1 but admitted many ups and downs4 ,we want to help you to walk in what ,isaiah calls ',the way of ,holiness'1 or in modern terms1 the pathway of the holy4 ,there are three things about a way4 ,there is a beginning2 a finishing place2 and the course between the two points4 ,this pathway of the holy may be said to have its beginning at the cleansing ,fountain2 it finishes1 if it finishes at all1 amid the glories of the ,heavenly ,world2 but between these two points lies the road which must be trodden1 the journey which has to be made4 ,we often dwell upon that moment where the soul1 by an act of submission and trust1 enters upon the highway1 or 'gets the blessing'1 as we say2 but ,holiness is1 after all1 a state1 a continuous experience1 a set course or way in life where the will of the ,lord is supreme1 and the full-hearted love of ,god is the great moving force4 ,it is in that course and along that path that you and ,i ought to travel continually4 ,we like testimonies from any who are in the way1 but we appreciate and are helped still more by the words of those who have walked on in patient faith and obedience for long periods4 ,reading lately the life of ,william ,bramwell1 ,i was encouraged by his testimony as to obtaining the blessing of ,holiness and its enjoyment for many long years4 ,but ,i was the more delighted to find his words supported by his acquaintances1 who bore testimony that ,bramwell adorned the doctrine so beautifully4 ,of himself this good man said1 ',the ,lord came suddenly to ,his temple1 and ,i had an immediate evidence that this was the blessing2 my soul was then all wonder1 love1 and praise4 ,it is now twenty-six years ago--,i have walked in that liberty ever since4' ,you see1 he went on in the way of ,holiness because it had become his way of life4 ,one who was closely associated with this man said1 ',i knew him intimately for twenty years4 ,i lived in the same house with him in his seasons of relaxation as well as occupation1 but never saw him in such a temper that ,i could reprove4 ,his soul was like a spring1 continually overflowing with the most amiable1 benevolent emotion4 ,in his last years1 in particular1 he was like a shock of corn fully ripe and fit for the heavenly garner1 or like a beautiful tree whose vigorous and luxuriant branches were weighted with a diversity of the richest fruit4' ,bramwell trod consistently the pathway of the holy1 a worthy successor of ,enoch1 who 'walked with ,god'1 and was translated after receiving the testimony that his way pleased ,god4 ,i would like to refer to several features of this pathway of the holy which appeal strongly to me4 #a4 ,the way of ,holiness is a pathway of the purified4 ,the prophet intimates plainly that nothing unclean can pass that way4 ,the hearts of men and women who are to walk there must be washed from their moral defilements4 ,i heard of a good man who said1 ',many years ago the ,lord took me out of the mire2 some years after1 ,he took the mire out of me'4 ,i think you quite understand his meaning4 ,sin is a foul1 slimy1 miry thing1 defiling whoever it touches4 ,this must be purged away if you are to walk in the way of ,holiness2 and it can only be purged by the ',blood of ,jesus ,christ which cleanseth us from all sin'4 #b4 ,the way of ,holiness is a pathway of light and learning4 ,it is a way of advancing knowledge4 ,there is a point where the path commences1 when one knows for the first time that the ,blood cleanses1 and the ,holy ,spirit sheds abroad the love of ,god in the heart2 but each succeeding step brings fuller light1 and things unknown are revealed4 ,familiar intercourse with ,god brings deeper realizations and knowledge of ,divine and spiritual things1 so that yours does indeed become the path of the just 'which shineth more and more unto the perfect day'4 ,as a result1 your own heart is enlarged1 your spiritual capacities increased1 and1 growing in grace1 you advance in knowledge and favour with ,god4 ,those who walk this pathway are they to whom the ,lord whispers ,his secrets1 and whose souls ,he fills with heavenly delights4 ,oh1 that we could induce you to step up from the lower to this higher and better pathway6 ,let me give you a note from the personal experience of another of ,god's saints who walked the higher way1 one who habitually lived on that level1 and who expressed himself thus3 ',let me say that my spiritual life is no longer like a leaky suction pump1 half the time dry1 and affording scanty water only by desperate tugging of the handle1 but it is like an artesian well of water springing up unto everlasting life4 ,the ,scriptures are sweeter than honey4 ,prayer and praise are a delight1 and it is like ,paradise regained2 the glory of ,christ has become the all-absorbing passion of my soul4' ,the sanctified life is not only a lengthening of the spiritual experience1 but a growth or advance in the knowledge of ,divine realities4 #c4 ,then1 further1 the way of ,holiness is a path of duty1 not a pathway of ease and indulgence4 ,we can never leave this practical thought out1 whatever our topic may be1 for ,holiness and hard work are inseparable4 ,the eyes being open to see the need1 the hand is ever ready to take up its task2 and the labour of love being the sweetest of all occupations1 work for ,god and souls becomes a delight4 ,he who is too holy to work for others will soon step to the lower path4 ,the willing soul will ever be crying1 ',lord1 what wilt ,thou have me to do8' and the answer will come1 ',do this1 do that1 come here1 go there'4 ,the way of ,holiness is not free from temptation and suffering2 but1 thank ,god1 it can be the way of victory and safety4 ,even the ordinary workaday life is full of circumstances which try and tempt and test you4 ,the more you struggle towards living in ,god's way the more the ,devil will attack you4 ,the path which the holy ,saviour trod was the way of the cross1 and they who follow ,him must share the cross-bearing4 ,the ultimate crown is for the overcomer1 and not for the untempted one4 ,christ leads us through no darker rooms ,than ,he went through before2 ,he who into ,god's ,kingdom comes ,must enter by this door4 ,there is no crown without a previous cross2 but with trials and temptations comes the way of escape and victory1 'these light afflictions 444 work out an exceeding weight of glory'4 ,the ,book says1 ',all who will live godly 444 shall suffer persecution'4 ,and this will be specially so with those who openly profess and live on the lines of a ,full ,salvation4 ,here is a page from the personal experience of one who was determined to walk the ,king's highway3-- ',perfect love'1 he says1 'will not go long untested4 ,for a time ,i was not called to suffer distinctly for ,christ from that hostile spirit which nailed ,him to the cross4 ,the lion1 however1 was not dead1 but asleep1 and presently he awoke and glared at me4 ,my soul was calm as a summer's evening4 ,when it pleased the ,blessed ,master that ,i should suffer reproach and vilification for my testimony1 then it was that the river of joy which flows from the ,throne flowed through my heart as never before4 ,it was a new experience--a quintessence of joy4 ,the shouts of burning martyrs were no longer a mystery4 ,i stagger no more at the account of the saints who took joyfully the spoiling of their goods4 ,my soul is bathed in an ocean of balm and ineffable joy4' #d4 ,but ,i spoke also of the safety of the way of ,holiness4 ,i must speak of that more fully another time1 but what ,i mean is this3 ,so long as you have the remains of sin in your heart you are exposed to a double danger--the enemy without and the responding traitor within4 ,one reason why religion is so unsatisfactory to some people is that they persist in walking on the low level where doubts often spoil their worship and the allurements of the world pull very hard1 and its siren song makes discord in their hallelujahs4 ,it is1 of course1 possible to backslide from any level2 but1 believe me1 the prospect of stability is infinitely greater if you get a clean heart1 and determine to walk in the pathway of the holy4 ,in closing1 let me quote a short prayer4 ,david cried3 ',search me1 ,o ,god1 and know my heart2 try me1 and know my thoughts3 see if there be any wicked way in me1 and lead me in the way everlasting'4 ,if1 in sincerity and simplicity of intention to follow ,christ fully1 you offer that prayer1 ,god will not only lead you along the way1 but to the ,home of the holy4 ,there are1 however1 two little notes which you should compare in this connexion4 ,one refers to the passage now before us1 ',the way of ,holiness'4 ,it is said1 ',the unclean shall not pass over it'4 ,the other refers to ,heaven1 and says1 ',there shall in no wise enter any thing that defileth or maketh a lie'4 ,by connecting these two you see that you need to be not only led along the heavenly way1 but to be made fit for the heavenly courts2 and ,david's prayer1 sincerely offered1 brings that fitness--that purity of heart which sees ,god and delights in the completion of ,his holy will4 ,,viii ,circumstances and ,consequences ',and fears shall be in the way4' 7,ecclesiastes xii4 #e47 ,the man who wrote these words was specially emphasizing the importance of settling one's relationships to the great ,creator before the coming of days when infirmities increase1 and decay of natural powers sets in4 ,the practical outcome of that thought is1 that postponement only adds to one's difficulties when the battle really has to be fought4 ,amongst those difficulties the sacred writer places that natural foreboding1 physical shrinking and hesitation which paralyse men when1 after lives spent in sin and selfish indulgence1 they desire to make their peace with ,god2 for1 says he1 ',they shall be afraid of that which is high1 and fears shall be in the way'4 ,the imaginary obstacles which arise in people's minds1 seeming to make holy living impossible1 are varied in character1 but ,i see that many are influenced by fears and feelings concerning things which ,i class under the headings of ',circumstances and ,consequences'4 ,how often1 when giving earnest advice1 one gets the response1 ',my circumstances are against me'1 ',placed as ,i am1 it cannot be'1 or ',the consequences are too serious'1 ',the price of the blessing is too high'4 ,even with persons who have no doubt as to the possibility of a clean heart and sanctification of life1 these thoughts operate2 and we find the fear of circumstances hindering one1 and the fear of consequences influencing another1 so that they are held back from definitely seeking the blessing4 ,true1 in many instances1 the idea is a delusion1 a snare of the ,devil1 by which souls are kept out of ,god's ,full ,salvation2 but1 there is the fact--'fears are in the way'4 ,fear is like a great magnifying-glass2 or one of those mirrors which give a distorted image of things reflected in them4 ,this effect is often produced in persons both as regards their own circumstances and the consequences of following the leadings of ,god's ,spirit4 ,you may remember how ,bunyan1 in his ',pilgrim's ,progress'1 represents ,christian desiring to enter the ,house ,beautiful1 but suddenly he espied two lions in the way1 and was almost frightened out of his purpose until some one told him that1 if he went boldly on1 and kept in the middle of the path1 he need not fear1 seeing the lions were securely chained4 ,what an illustration of the quaking fears which hinder definite action in regard to spiritual blessings6 #a4 ,a few words as to circumstances may be helpful to some one4 ,let me1 however1 first make one thing clear4 ,with some people circumstances exist which are insurmountable barriers2 there are positions in the world which could not be held by a fully sanctified person any more than fire can be carried in a man's bosom and he not be burned2 situations involving the practice of evil or resulting in gain through the unjust sufferings of others4 ,such positions must be given up1 if men wish to enjoy ,god's sanctifying power4 ,i am not1 however1 dealing now with such positions or the circumstances connected with them2 ,i am referring to circumstances or conditions of life which are lawful in themselves and in the light of the ,word of ,god1 but which may present difficulties and involve serious trial to those determined to live purely and serve ,god faithfully4 ,the fear in some instances is that if they obtain the blessing the strain of temptation would be such as to render a fall probable4 ',i could not keep the blessing if ,i got it'2 ',if ,i could change my position1 or surroundings1 or connexions1 then ,i would take the necessary steps'4 ,these are words we frequently hear4 ,a married man or woman says1 ',ah6 if only ,i were single1 then ,i could live a life of full consecration'4 ,with equal seriousness the single person says1 ',ah6 if only ,i were married1 then the life of purity and ,holiness would be possible to me'4 ,the mother1 fearful about the strain which the care of the children brings1 often speaks in the same way4 ,so it is with business relationships and many other matters in which the circumstances are presented as things making ,holiness an impossibility4 ,when ,i was a young man in business ,i yearned for a position in which ,i could be separate from all worldly entanglements1 so that ,i could obtain and enjoy the blessing4 ,but1 do you know1 since ,i have been a ,salvation ,army ,officer1 ,i have often been tempted to think that the sanctified life is easier in the circumstances of commercial life1 and that if ,i was so placed the spiritual things would be more appreciated1 and ,i should be able to live nearer to ,god4 ,you see1 it is the same old temptation1 ',my circumstances1 my conditions of life1 my work1 my home'1 and the fear of these things often becomes a snare4 ,that is a pathetic picture which the ,psalmist gives us of these poor ,jews by the waters of ,babylon1 who1 when urged to sing the songs of ,zion1 answered1 ',how shall we sing the ,lord's songs in a strange land8' ,is not that the feeling which bursts from many lips and many more hearts1 ',how can you expect me1 in my circumstances1 to get sanctified and live a holy life8' ,but is not that just the point where the triumph of faith comes in8 ,it is there that we see the value of those exceeding great and precious promises by which you are to become a partaker of the ,divine nature1 and on which your faith is to build4 ',as thy days1 so shall thy strength be'2 ',my ,god shall supply all your need'2 and that includes your need in cleansing1 your need in keeping1 and your need in blessing adapted to your circumstances4 ,remember1 the ,lord is the ,master of circumstances1 and you must put yours into ,his hands1 and trust ,him not only to sanctify you wholly1 but to preserve you blameless unto the end4 ,you must trust ,god to make you equal to your circumstances4 #b4 ,but there is that second class of anxious persons to whom ,i referred3 those who are held back by the fear of consequences4 ,oh1 what crowds of enlightened souls might be walking triumphantly along the ,king's highway1 who are yet tramping on amidst doubts and fears and frequent condemnation1 all because they dread the pressure of ,god's claims upon them1 and fear the consequences of making a whole-hearted surrender to ,him4 ,there is another point of view about which ,i must speak a word in passing4 ,when looking at the consequences of fully yielding to ,god's claims1 and perhaps trembling and hesitating1 do you ever think of the results of holding back what you know ,god wants8 ,do not forget that there are some consequences of saying ',no' to the ,lord4 ,when a child knows his father's wish1 but1 in answer to a reasonable request1 says1 ',no'1 you call it disobedience4 ,is it not a still more serious thing to be disobedient in the presence of more than a father's love8 ,you must count the cost of that1 when resisting the light and influence of ,god's ,spirit4 ,surely1 you will not choose to be numbered among those who 'knew their ,lord's will1 but did it not'4 ,in the ,gospel story such were 'beaten with many stripes'2 that means stripes of loss1 stripes of pain1 stripes of sorrow1 perhaps even stripes of death4 ,if we are to suffer1 let it be the result of following ,him1 rather than the consequence of denying our ,lord4 ,now1 ,i do not want to mislead anybody1 for1 of course1 there are consequences of surrender and determination to live the holy life2 but1 unfortunately1 these fearful ones look at the wrong side of the list4 ,they think of the separateness from the world involved in a life of ,holiness2 they think of the cold shoulder which some1 even ,christian friends1 would give them2 they think of the toil after souls which the sanctified must maintain2 of the money that they may have to give2 of the partnership in ,christ's sufferings1 and other self-denying expressions of devotion to ,god and the ,kingdom4 ',oh1 ,i shall have to wear uniform6' or 'go to the ,open-,air'1 or 'perhaps become an ,army ,officer'1 and1 as an ,officer1 'may have to leave my native land'4 ,the enemy holds these and many similar things before the eyes of a convicted soul1 very often magnifying the facts until the word difficulty is changed to impossibility1 and1 like the young ruler of the ,gospel story1 they 'go away sorrowful'4 ,a man came across ,london to be present at one of our ,thursday ,meetings4 ,when spoken to by an ,officer1 he admitted the force of all that had been said1 but he found an insurmountable difficulty in his business as a shopkeeper4 ,he saw that the goods on his shelves and sold over the counter were mixed1 including what he realized to be bad and damaging to many others4 ,his heart was full of conviction and desire1 but anxiety about his wife and family prevented him closing down1 while his conscience prevented him selling a business which he knew had wrong and doubtful things connected with it4 ',what is wrong for me'1 he said1 'would be wrong for another'2 and so he could not pay the price1 and1 like the young ruler referred to1 he has gone away sorrowful4 ,in the ,meeting of the following week a man came to the table seeking the blessing1 and he cried out aloud1 ',o ,lord1 give me a clean heart6 ,take the malice out which ,i have had towards these two persons6 ,o ,lord1 ,i will go straight to them1 and confess1 and ask them to forgive me6' ,needless to add1 the blessing came1 and1 rejoicing1 he went off to his home1 fifty miles out of ,london1 to fulfil his word4 ,the contrast between this and the man previously mentioned teaches its own lesson4 ,now1 it is quite right that seekers of ,full ,salvation should look at the cost1 and count it well2 but1 ,oh1 that they would also think of the tremendous balance of joy and peace and blessing which more than makes up for what has to be borne or done or given up6 ,instead of dim twilight1 or hazy doubts or forebodings1 the sunshine of the ,divine ,presence makes all things bright and gladsome4 ,instead of depending for light and peace on 'suns' which 'go down' and 'moons' which 'withdraw' themselves1 the fully sanctified man finds that ,god has become his 'everlasting light1 and the days of his mourning are ended'4 ,as ,i have said1 there will be sacrifice1 but there also will be satisfaction2 and1 as with the mother in regard to her new-born babe1 the fully saved soul forgets the suffering and the sacrifice which has been made4 ,sometimes we are tempted to look at sacrifice apart from love4 ,i heard ,mr4 ,bramwell ,booth say in a ,meeting1 ',sacrifice is the flower of love'2 and you know full well that things which are otherwise impossible become comparatively easy to true love and faith4 ,men do not talk about sacrifices when they realize that they have received more--much more--than that which they gave up4 ,when ,i hear people dwelling on how much they have given up for ,god1 ,i begin to wonder whether those self-denying ones have realized the joy and satisfaction which ,god wants to give to the fully consecrated heart4 ,if they have1 it is strange for them to talk of rushlight sacrifices whilst they are bathed in the sunlight of the ,divine ,presence4 ,sometimes distressing consequences do follow surrender and faith1 but are there not also glorious consequences in the form of joy in the seasons of sorrow1 light and guidance in the hours of perplexity1 ,divine approval and communion when others misunderstand and shun us8 ,surely the knowledge of this leads me to cry1 ',o my ,lord1 let me have the blessing with all its consequences6' ,oh1 my friends1 whilst counting the cost1 look at both sides of ,god's gift1 the crown as well as the cross2 the delight as well as the denial2 the heavenly sunshine as well as the earthly shadows2 and the great1 glorious1 everlasting reward in eternity4 ,when you have looked at all these things1 make your choice2 and1 having chosen aright1 'hold fast that which thou hast1 that no man take thy crown'4 ,,ix ,bound to the ,altar ',bind the sacrifice with cords1 even unto the horns of the altar4' 7,psalm cxviii4 #bg47 ,periodically in our ,halls we have had what we call ,altar ,services4 ,at such times1 and more especially during the ,self-,denial and ,harvest ,festival efforts1 ,soldiers1 friends1 and others who are interested in ,god's work are invited to come forward with gifts of money to lay upon the special table which1 for that occasion1 serves the purpose of an altar4 ,those who have been present at these ,meetings will not need to be told that the 'gift' is irrevocable4 ,the giver cannot honestly get it back--it has been deliberately parted with4 ,that is a very definite thing done1 and it illustrates the central idea of the verse which ,i have read to you4 ,some time ago ,i went with ,the ,general to ,stockholm1 where the ,swedish ,officers were gathered together for their annual ,congress4 ,at the close of the ,councils ,i asked an ,officer how he liked the ,meetings1 and what the result would be4 ,he replied1 ',commissioner1 it's just like this4 ,it is as if ,the ,general during these days builded an altar1 and to-night we all climbed upon that altar offering ourselves a sacrifice unto ,god1 and the fire came down and sanctified the offering4' ,the true worship and service of ,god--it need not be told--involves sacrifice4 ,if any one here feels that religion is all a question of how much he can get out of ,god by saying so many prayers or offering so many donations1 he has a totally wrong conception of what it is4 ,i know that there are many who regard their vows to ,god very lightly4 ,they seem to think they can get through their religion without much self-denial4 ,religion of that sort1 however1 is worth nothing either to those who possess it or to the ,lord whom they profess to serve4 ,without self-sacrifice1 without self-denial1 religion comes to nothing1 or1 at any rate1 amounts to very little4 ,i do not desire that you should imitate the senseless practices prevailing in some countries1 where the people are allowed to build their hopes of ,salvation upon penance and self-torture4 ,and yet we are sometimes put to shame by the things we hear and see4 ,a short time ago ,i received a letter from a young ,officer in ,india4 ,after describing some pleasing scenes1 he said1 ',one sees some awful things out here4 ,i saw a man the other day literally walking upon nails4 ,it made me shiver4 ,he imagined that by this he could save his soul4 ,with what passion ,i wished that man could only understand that other nails were pierced in other feet for him6 ,but you see how in earnest the people here are about their religion1 and in all these things they are seeking for ,salvation4' ,there are not many who are prepared to do what that poor ,indian devotee did4 ,they are a long way off that4 ,but unless they are prepared to include sacrifice in their religion1 they are not on the lines either of their ,lord's example or their ,lord's words4 ,the cross1 the following1 the denial of self1 the ,calvary path1 cannot be excluded from the life of ,christ's follower4 ,whilst true service must always be a spiritual thing1 do not imagine it is something merely 'in the mind'4 ,i have heard it talked about in the same way as a doctor talked to a poor lad who had his thumb crushed in a machine4 ',don't shout1 my poor boy'1 he said4 ',don't you know ,i feel it as truly as you do8' ',perhaps so1' replied the boy2 'but you feels it in your mind1 and ,i feels it in my thumb6' ,sacrifice is often talked about by some people who feel it perhaps as much as the doctor felt the crushed thumb1 being largely a matter of sympathy1 without the actual hurting4 ,this matter of sacrifice indicates a certain principle1 a certain state of mind1 which expresses itself in two ways4 ,it is either a giving up of things which are against ,god's will1 or the contribution of something which is valuable1 to be surrendered or used in ,his service4 ,shall ,i not say that sacrifice represents the heart saying1 on the one hand1 ',i will come out1 and be separate1 and touch not the unclean thing'8 and1 on the other hand1 ',what shall ,i render unto the ,lord for all ,his benefits toward me8' ,not only singing1 ',where ,he leads ,i will follow'1 ',lord1 ,i make a full surrender'1 but actually spending and being spent for ,him4 ,i need not dwell at any great length upon the word 'altar'4 ,i referred to the table in our ,altar ,services as the place of gifts4 ,it is also the place of dedication1 and the place of sacrifice4 ,thank ,god1 it has been so to many1 as well as the mercy-seat1 where ,god has sealed the acceptance of the offering presented to ,him4 ,how often have we been reminded of that altar of sacrifice in the shape of the accursed cross1 where the ,saviour made atonement for our sins6 ,and it is in reality at that altar we bow when we sincerely sing-- ,were the whole realm of nature mine1 ,that were a present far too small2 ,love so amazing1 so divine1 ,demands my soul1 my life1 my all6 ,not only 'demands' the sacrifice1 but 'shall have my soul1 my life1 my all'4 ,but what does the binding of the sacrifice to the altar mean8 ,the phrase is very significant4 ,the horns were the corner posts1 and sometimes the worshipper presenting a living creature would tether it with a cord to the altar's horn1 so that the gift could be used either for sacrifice or service4 ,in both cases the figure of speech seems to imply the possibility of the consecration being reversed by the withdrawal of the offering1 or broken by its loss1 the sacrifice slipping off or away from the altar1 or being loosened by the person who had presented the offering4 ,the ,psalmist therefore urges those to whom he is speaking to maintain their consecration1 and to see to it that their sacrifice is not taken off the altar after being put on4 ,these corner posts were not there for ornament1 but for use1 and the cords were intended to hold the sacrifice to the altar1 so that it could not be snatched away4 ,here is my ,bible4 ,if ,i turned away1 and anybody were so minded1 it would be easy to make off with it while my back was turned4 ,but if ,i had some cord1 and1 by crossing it transversely from corner to corner1 tied the ,book to the table1 that would make it secure4 ,it was thus that the sacrifices were bound to the ,jewish altar4 ,what ,i want to emphasize by this is1 that those who come with gifts and dedications should bind themselves in terms of unalterable covenant4 ,they should stand to their consecration when loss or pain or temptation come1 as come they will in one form or another4 ,it is just here where so many fail--they do not really maintain their sacrifice4 ,that is to say1 having made a consecration they do not stand to it4 ,the offering has been made1 but it has been taken back again2 the vow has been registered1 but not paid2 the promise has been made1 but not fulfilled2 the consecration has been broken or reversed4 ,take that wonderful scene in the life of ,abraham4 ,at the command of ,god he erected an altar1 cut the sacrifice in pieces1 and laid it there4 ,then ,abraham waited for the coming of the fire4 ,before the fire came1 or anything happened1 the vultures1 those unclean birds1 were circling around his head1 and around the altar1 trying to defile the sacrifice or snatch it away or devour it4 ,the story says that when the birds came down ,abraham drove them away1 and he stood to his covenant until the fire came4 ,the vultures of temptation will circle around you4 ,they will try to frighten you1 and to remove the sacrifice wholly or partially1 or to defile it in some way4 ,your business then is to drive them away1 to bind and rebind the sacrifice to ,god's altar4 ,in the days of ,queen ,mary1 a girl-martyr refused1 when pressure was brought upon her1 to deny her ,lord and renounce her faith4 ,she was condemned and taken to the seashore4 ,there she was bound to a stake near the low tide line1 and1 as the incoming waters gathered round her feet1 one of her persecutors rode out and offered to spare her life if she would renounce her faith and turn her back upon her ,lord4 ,the waters rose to her waist1 and he rode out again1 and1 when half unconscious1 she was dragged out1 and urged to recant4 ,refusing to do this1 the girl was again bound to the stake4 ,when the waters reached her shoulders the offer was repeated4 ,to one and all she replied something like this3 ',no1 ,i will not draw back6 ,i will not deny my ,lord6' ,and as the rising tide came in she bowed her head1 and poured her soul out unto death rather than deny her ,master4 ,she bound her sacrifice to the altar1 and died in the faith4 ,some of those who hear my words are disappointed and sad at heart1 for they have gone back on ,jesus ,christ2 not perhaps to save their lives1 but for a mere trifle4 ,why these neglected vows8 ,why these defiled sacrifices8 ,why these broken consecrations8 ,if they were ever really put on the altar they were not1 ,i am afraid1 bound there4 ,impulse1 sentiment1 desire1 intention may have induced the offering1 but it was not bound with 'cords of submission1 cords of determination'4 ,companionships1 some secret indulgence1 some selfish pleasure1 some act of reversal1 carried off the sacrifice4 ,alas6 how many have never seriously and sincerely approached the ,divine altar to make the full surrender of themselves to ,god4 ,the love of sin1 the selfish gratifications which are so precious to them1 have kept them back1 though often convicted about their duty4 ,but the act of dedication is very simple1 and can be made or renewed now4 ,while we bow before ,god around the altar of consecration1 bring yourselves and the sacrifice again and put it on that altar in an unchangeable covenant1 and with a simple faith that will bring from ,god that holy fire which makes it possible to maintain it there for ever4 ,a willing sacrifice at last ,myself to ,thee ,i give2 ,the weary1 painful strife is past-- ,i die that ,i may live4 ,i yield ,thee all my hallowed powers1 ,thine only will ,i be1 ,contented if ,i may but know ,thou giv'st ,thyself to me4 ,x ',why ,should ,i8' ',thou saidst1 ,what advantage will it be8 ,what profit shall ,i have1 if ,i be cleansed from my sin8 ,i will answer thee1 and thy companions with thee4' 7,job xxxv4 #c1 #d47 ,in reading these words ,i have no wish to enter into the controversy between ,job and his friends as to the relationship of physical suffering to sin1 but to emphasize a certain mental attitude which they indicate1 and which often expresses itself in relation to other things4 ,the human mind is so constituted that men will not commit themselves to a course suggested by another unless it is proved to be worth their while4 ,when we want to move people to do that which does not at the moment fit in with their desires1 we have to urge motives upon their consideration4 ,very few actions are performed without there being some personal motive4 ,it seems born in us to ask1 ',is it worth while8 ,why should ,i do1 or go and accept what ,i do not want8' and so we hang back until some motive carries our judgment or feelings4 ,we find the same attitude in men's minds towards ,salvation and those spiritual blessings and conditions of life in which the ,lord wants men to live4 ,the immediate gratification of the flesh1 or love of selfish indulgence1 lies in the opposite direction to the ,altar of ,consecration2 so that when the call to surrender and ,holiness comes1 naturally1 and at once1 the cry springs up1 ',why should ,i8 ,where is the advantage8 ,what profit shall ,i have8' ,it seems1 therefore1 absolutely necessary to find some personal motives by which to urge people to be saved1 or seek a clean heart1 and pursue those lines of sacred duty to which redeemed men should be consecrated4 ,speaking from personal experience1 ,i would say that whilst soul-saving is hard work1 it appears equally difficult to persuade professors of religion to definitely seek deliverance from inward sin1 and to attain those spiritual realizations which we speak of as ',full ,salvation' or ',the ,blessing of ,holiness'4 ,as evidence of this difficulty1 ,i may point to the state of soul and spiritual experience in which even some of you are now found3 receiving light and instruction about ,holiness1 but continuing unsanctified2 singing of the ,cleansing ,blood1 but yet remaining uncleansed by it2 praying1 ',baptize me with the ,holy ,ghost'1 and yet resisting ,his gracious leadings to the higher life of ,holiness4 ,in one of my ,meetings my subject was ',out-and-,out ,consecration'4 ,i was attracted by a man who seemed intensely interested4 ,i spoke with him afterwards1 when he said1 ',i was much pleased with your address--,i entirely approve of the sentiments you expressed'4 ,and yet ,i could not induce the man to give himself to ,god4 ,thus we have to seek for motives by which to move the hearts of people in this vital matter4 #a4 ,let me again set before you those motives which should lead you to seek the blessing4 ,i place first among them the fact which ,paul stated thus1 ',this is the will of ,god1 even your sanctification'4 ,i put this first because the highest motive stimulating the soul of the child of ,god should be the knowledge of his ,father's will4 ,one would think that to know ,god's will should be enough to provoke the determination to do it4 ,to hear the ,father's voice should stir the heart in responsive desire and effort4 ,we had a little daughter who1 before she went to ,heaven1 was the joy of our hearts and the light of our home4 ,the child had a passion for cleanliness1 and as the evening hour came on1 she gave the maid no peace until she was washed and dressed in clean clothes4 ,then1 running to her mother1 she would ask1 ',mamma1 am ,i clean1 clean enough for father8' ,soon after my return from business1 the child would climb on my knee1 put a little hand on each side of my face1 to compel me to look at her1 and then ask1 ',am ,i clean1 papa1 am ,i clean8' ,nothing would delight that child more than for me to say1 ',yes1 my darling1 you are clean1 even clean enough for father'4 ,let us ask ourselves1 ',what does the will of ,god count for with us8 ,we know what ,he wants1 and the claims of gratitude and sincere regard for ,his glory should influence our attitude1 and lead us to say1 ',lo6 ,i come to do ,thy will1 ,o my ,god6' ,he wills that ,i should holy be3 ,that ,holiness ,i long to feel2 ,that full1 ,divine conformity ,to all my ,saviour's righteous will4 #b4 ,a second motive to ,holiness may be found in the urgent need of the people around us4 ,we all know something of ,god's plan for saving the world4 ,it is1 broadly speaking1 on the line of using one man to save another4 ,co-operation on this line is rightly expected from all professing ,christians4 ,personally1 ,i hold that professors of religion who are not moved by a concern for the souls of others1 and a willingness to use all possible efforts to seek their ,salvation1 can hardly claim to be properly saved themselves4 ,the need of saved men and women to act on these lines of consecrated effort is1 indeed1 very great1 and the knowledge of this fact should urge us to the fullest consecration4 ,but we need to see more clearly that unless we exhibit in our own characters and lives the true fruits of ,holiness1 we shall either fail in our own consecration1 or our influence will be greatly reduced4 ,what do you think will be the effect of a man's words about the ,christian's 'separateness'1 and about ,christ being the satisfying portion of the human heart1 if people see him seeking satisfaction with the multitude that go to do evil8 ,how will the world be influenced by ,christian talkers who sacrifice honour1 truth1 and perhaps honesty1 in their daily associations8 ,how often people's tongues are tied1 when they ought to speak and act8 ,they are half paralysed through a sense of their personal inconsistency4 ,holiness is not only the inspiration to holy effort2 it is a necessary qualification4 ,the power of a holy life is the best evidence of what ,god can do4 ,platform and ,meeting-,holiness1 or glass-case sanctity1 are feeble when compared with the exhibition of the blessing in daily association4 ,therefore1 ',let your light so shine before men1 that they may see your good works1 and glorify your ,father which is in ,heaven'4 ,these words indicate my meaning when ,i urge you to seek and maintain the blessing of ,holiness in the interests of those around you4 ,holy lives are the most convincing sermons and testimonies4 ,we often say ',holiness is power'2 and ,i am sure that you need all the power which can be obtained to influence the world around for ,god and ,salvation4 #c4 ,then1 as a last motive to stimulate you in the pursuit of ,holiness1 ,i will name self-interest4 ,that may seem rather a low-down motive1 seeing that ,holiness1 which is perfect love1 is the extreme opposite of that selfishness which is the essence or root of all sin4 ,it seems like a paradox or contradiction to say that self-denial can harmonize with enjoyment2 and yet it is true4 ,a man does advance his highest interests and truest well-being when he submits to the sanctifying conditions of the ,holy ,ghost2 for what the world counts loss1 he finds to be gain4 ,i would point out that we find ,god ,himself appealing to men just at that point of self-interest4 ,what a chapter is that fifty-fifth of ,isaiah1 beginning1 ',ho1 every one that thirsteth1 come ye to the waters'1 and so on1 the second verse finishing1 ',eat ye that which is good1 and let your soul delight itself in fatness'4 ,as much as to say1 ',you will find it worth while to come into right relations with ,me'4 ,there is no doubt that people are moved when they properly understand the fact which ,paul set forth in the words3 ',godliness is profitable unto all things1 having the promise of the life that now is1 and of that which is to come'2 ',godliness with contentment is great gain'4 ,and ,i want you to see that to have the blessing of ,full ,salvation will be worth your while1 because it will meet the deep needs of your individual life4 ,if ,i am asked to define what you must be in order that your religious life may be happy and successful1 ,i would state the case thus4 ,first1 you need to be in right and happy relationship with ,god4 ,there must be no enmity there2 no clouds in that sky2 no closed doors between you and your ,heavenly ,father4 ,salvation does nothing for you if it does not bring that4 ,second1 you need to be delivered from those inward evils which have darkened your mind1 polluted your soul1 and will be like roots of bitterness springing up to trouble you if they are not removed4 ,third1 you want power to live up to your own ideals2 that is1 up to the standards of life upon which your consecrated heart will be set4 ,you do not want to be in the position of the man who exclaims1 ',the good that ,i would ,i do not2 but the evil which ,i would not1 that ,i do'4 ,you want power to live 'unspotted from the world'1 to walk in ,divine fellowship1 to triumph over temptation1 and to have victory and success in your service4 ,these are the things you must have to meet your deepest need1 and they are all secured to you in the blessing of ,holiness which we urge you to seek4 ,believe me1 nothing spoils a man's happiness so much as sin in the heart1 and nothing helps in human happiness so much as a holy1 sanctified condition4 ,you see the supreme advantage when you remember the open fellowship possible to the fully sanctified2 the perfect peace in which ,god keeps the man whose mind is stayed on ,him2 the perfect love which casteth out fear1 and the joy unspeakable and full of glory realized by one filled with the ,holy ,ghost4 ,on the other hand1 how much unhappiness and disappointment is caused by the remains of sin in the heart6 ,look1 for instance1 at ill-tempers and their effect4 ,you may have found a certain amount of gratification in letting your temper display itself2 you have 'spoken your mind'1 and so forth1 and1 perhaps1 caused pain to somebody in so doing2 but you know how unhappy and humiliated you have been upon reflection4 ,take also the case of the envious man4 ,we all know that it is wrong to be envious2 but who is the chief sufferer8 ,why1 the envious man himself4 ,so with grumbling and discontent3 it is very unpleasant for those around2 but how unhappy are the grumblers themselves6 ,similarly with pride2 it may be very self-satisfying1 until one sees somebody better1 or something which cuts one out2 then comes disappointment4 ,and so ,i might go on with other illustrations1 but ,i have said enough to show what ,i mean4 ,now look at these motives which ,i have named2 they all appeal to you in regard to ,holiness4 ,it is the will of ,god concerning you4 ,it is desirable and necessary to give your religion power with those around you4 ,it is also to your own happiness and interest to get your nature sanctified and your own heart and mind and life brought into harmony with ,god4 ,to those whose experience includes the enjoyment of the blessing1 ,i say let these motives influence you in maintaining the conditions4 ,and to those who have not got the blessing1 let these motives constrain you to seek the blessing without delay4 ,lord1 my will ,i here present ,thee ,gladly1 now no longer mine2 ,let no evil thing prevent me ,blending it with ,thine4 ,lord1 my life ,i lay before ,thee1 ,hear this hour the sacred vow6 ,all ,thine own ,i now restore ,thee1 ,thine for ever now4 ,,xi ,judged by ,fruit ',a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit2 neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit4 ,for every tree is known by his own fruit4 ,for of thorns men do not gather figs1 nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes4' 7,luke vi4 #dc1 #dd47 ,jesus ,christ1 in the few sentences quoted1 indicates the true secret or principle of holy living4 ,they show that holy living works from the heart of things--beginning within--to the outside4 ,many judge their religion the other way about4 ,they take up religious duties1 attend religious ,meetings1 sing hymns1 say prayers1 put on what may be called the outward things of religion4 ,perhaps they adopt a dress1 make a profession1 or assume a religious manner1 and hope to grow good in the process4 ,but really it does not work out that way4 ,i do not say that the things are not good4 ,far from that2 but what ,i want to make plain is this3 in none of these things does the secret of true religion lie1 and you will be a failure if you rely upon the outward form4 ,you have the secret1 the principle of religion1 in the words of ,jesus3 ',a good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good2 and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil3 for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh'4 ,you see1 that which is in will come out1 and you cannot bring out that which is not in4 ,in these words ,jesus tries to enforce a great truth in human life1 by showing how the principle works out in the action of a tree4 ,nature cannot teach us everything about ,god1 nor everything about religion2 but ,nature does supply us with a great many beautiful illustrations4 ,jesus makes use of one when ,he says1 ',of thorns men do not gather figs1 nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes4 ,every tree is known by his own fruit4' ,you see1 not only is the fruit according to the tree1 but the quality of the tree is to be judged according to its fruits4 ,that is the way by which ordinary people identify a tree4 ,there are some who are highly skilled in forestry1 who can tell you all about a tree by looking at the bark or the leaves or the blossoms1 or even by its general appearance4 ,but we cannot all do that4 ,i have sometimes stood in a company1 and listened to an argument as to what kind a particular tree really was4 ,but no arguments are required when the fruit hangs on the branches4 ,everybody can tell the apple tree then1 and knows what a pear or a plum tree is when they see the fruit hanging upon it4 ,you can see the bearing of this upon personal religion and character4 ,by our fruit1 then1 we shall be known and judged4 ,in the fifth chapter of ,galatians you will find a commentary upon this natural law4 ,shall we read it8 ',now the works of the flesh'--the fruit of the flesh1 if you like to put it that way--'are manifest1 which are these3 ,adultery1 fornication1 uncleanness1 lasciviousness1 idolatry1 witchcraft1 hatred1 variance1 emulations1 wrath1 strife1 seditions1 heresies1 envyings1 murders1 drunkenness1 revellings1 and such like3 of the which ,i tell you before1 as ,i have also told you in time past1 that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of ,god4 ,but the fruit of the ,spirit is love1 joy1 peace1 long-suffering1 gentleness1 goodness1 faith1 meekness1 temperance'1 or self-control4 ,the two sets of verses taken together not only show in detail a cluster of virtues which are like luscious fruit in a beautiful garden1 but also a cluster of evils1 which are like poisoned berries upon the roadside bushes4 ,the contrast between the two clusters indicates how great is the difference when one is changed from being a proud1 fleshly1 corrupt man into a clean1 holy1 spiritual person2 but the contrast also marks the grace of ,god as the transforming power4 ,no matter what change was wrought in you at conversion1 you cannot properly call yourselves fully sanctified until the transformation is complete2 that is1 until you are delivered from the works or fruit of the flesh1 and produce the fruit of the ,spirit1 and by your fruits you shall be known4 ,profession of ,holiness without appropriate fruit is no good4 ,that would be just like the tree to which the ,saviour turned on one occasion when ,he found nothing but leaves4 ,let me put the matter very simply1 but very definitely4 ,here is a man1 we will suppose1 who says1 ',i am saved'4 ,that is good4 ,i like to hear men who are able to stand up and say1 ',i am saved'4 ,but if in that man's dealings with those around him he tells lies--black ones or white ones--well1 then it is obvious that the man still needs ,salvation4 ,here is another who stands up and says1 ',i have a clean heart'4 ,that is a testimony in which ,i glory4 ,but if you see that man's bodily appetites master him1 or see him fall into uncleanness of speech or of act1 you know very well what even those who want to be charitable will say1 ',either that man fails to understand the meaning of the words he uses1 or his profession of ,holiness is a false one'4 ,another person says1 ',i love ,god with all my heart'--or as many do say1 ',there is nothing between my soul and ,god'4 ,but if you see the same person running after those things which he knows ,god is against1 however charitable you may feel1 you cannot help judging by what he does rather than by what he says4 ,one may stand up and speak about being sanctified2 but if his actions indicate in some form or another that he is jealous1 or ill-tempered1 or selfish1 everybody will say1 ',no matter what that person may say about himself1 testimony or no testimony1 profession or no profession1 he still needs the blessing of ,full ,salvation6' ,let me1 by an illustration or two1 help you to see what ,i mean--the fruits of the sanctified heart4 ,a university professor was afflicted with an ungovernable temper4 ,one day he went to the house of a relative with a view to adjusting some property matters in dispute4 ,now1 the man to whom he went not only made unjust claims1 but put forth these claims in a way to provoke his ,christian relative to anger4 ,he did it on purpose2 he was determined to show that this man's religion made him no different from the people round about him4 ,as a consequence1 high words arose1 and the professor left the house in a rage1 slamming the door behind him4 ,when he got into the street calm reflection came1 and in the place of anger and bitterness a sense of humiliation and shame and defeat4 ,he went straight home1 up to his room1 fastened the door1 got down on his knees1 and spent the night pleading that ,god would not only forgive him for his display of temper1 but would deliver him from those angry passions which made him such a discredit to his profession of religion4 ,as morning dawned1 peace came to his soul1 the power of the ,holy ,ghost fell upon him1 and a sense of deliverance pervaded his whole being4 ,he went to the house of his relative1 and found him at breakfast4 ,with deep humility1 and in the presence of the family1 he confessed his sin1 said not a word about provocation1 and only pleaded that they would forgive him for his display of anger4 ,thirty years subsequent to this that professor1 who became famous as a man of ,god1 stated that no temptation or provocation received had ever stirred the emotion of evil temper within him since that memorable night4 ,he had been delivered4 ,instead of the fruit of the flesh1 there grew the fruit of the ,spirit4 ,take the case of a certain mother with several unconverted children4 ,she was a fretting1 chafing woman1 and by her impatience1 fault-finding1 and nagging she fretted and vexed the whole family4 ,when she got the blessing she became so even in her disposition that she was kept in such 'perfect peace' that1 by the power of the ,holy ,ghost1 the domestic circle became like a little heaven below4 ,resentful and revengeful persons are so changed that the spirit of forgiveness and forbearance which they exhibit in their lives is the admiration of all who know them4 ,self-seeking ,christians are made into self-sacrificing1 cross-bearing saints and soldiers1 where formerly they would only be content if they were having their own way4 ,now1 what does this mean8 ,this3 that such open professors of religion as we are must justify our profession by bringing forth fruit unto ,holiness4 ,if the condition of your mind and heart1 if the state of your disposition 7,i will put it that way7 is not such as brings forth this fruit1 you must earnestly and sincerely ask the ,lord to cleanse and sanctify and anoint you with the ,holy ,ghost1 so that instead of bringing forth the fruit of the flesh1 everybody shall see displayed and exhibited by you the fruit of the ,spirit4 ,do not say the standard is too high1 for it is simply a case of your experience being too low4 ,we want the whole thing not 'levelled down'1 but 'levelled up'4 ,let ,god take full possession of you2 let the ,divine power be exerted upon your particular difficulty2 and seek to be wholly anointed with that ,holy ,spirit who can not only cleanse1 but keep you1 making you fruitful in every good word and work4 ,,xii ,perpetual ,covenants ',come1 and let us join ourselves to the ,lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten4' 7,jeremiah #a4 #e47 ,we find in our ,meetings persons who are perplexed by the doctrinal statements about ,holiness or entire ,sanctification and equivalent terms4 ,some take our words to mean more than we intend2 others think the statements imply less than we mean2 some put the standard too high1 whilst others put it altogether too low4 ,at the close of a recent ,meeting a gentleman said to me1 ',i greatly enjoyed your address1 but ,i am sure you will never get people to follow that line1 because you advocate an abnormal life4 ,it cannot be lived4' ,equally ,i find men who in an indefinite way imagine that high states of emotion dispense with standards of morality such as truth1 honour1 and rectitude in business4 ,and it is with great difficulty that we make the ,bible standard plainly understood4 ,i think1 however1 that very few are perplexed as to what we mean by the consecration side of ,holiness4 ,there is1 in all who are moderately well instructed in ,bible truth1 a living sense of ,god's claims1 a recognition of what ,i may call the law of consistency1 and a feeling that1 as a matter of duty1 we really ought to yield to those claims1 and devote ourselves to doing ,his will4 ,that is what ,jeremiah meant when he called upon the people to join themselves unto the ,lord in 'a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten'4 ,we all recognize how right it is for buildings to be dedicated to ,god's service2 we call them the houses of ,god4 ,we also see the rightness of contributing gifts to help ,god's cause2 and yet men and women are so slow to fully and definitely join themselves unto the ,lord1 that is1 to put the sacred mark upon their entire lives1 and recognize their duty in spending their lives for ,god alone4 ,they are slow to regard their bodily1 mental1 and other powers and faculties as belonging to ,god1 and slower still in yielding their hearts in supreme love to ,him who loved them1 and gave ,himself for them4 ,i am often puzzled as to why religious people who1 in their business life1 are regularly making covenants and contracts1 either for labour or material1 should so fail to follow on similar lines in their relations to ,god4 ,my duty called me lately to examine a contract1 and ,i found the basis expressed in terms like these3 ',this is an agreement between ,so-and-so in the first part and ,so-and-so in the second part'4 ,and then on each side there were pledges and responsibilities and commitments2 finally1 the contract was 'signed1 sealed1 and delivered' by the two contracting parties4 ,now1 that illustrates precisely what is meant by a covenant with the ,lord4 ,he1 on the one part1 and we on the other part1 uniting for a common purpose1 and each undertaking definite responsibilities to secure the purpose desired4 ,mind1 this covenanting with ,god is not a case of bargaining4 ,i know that it pays to be on right relationships with ,god1 and to do ,his will2 but do not forget--,he settles and dictates the terms1 our part is to comply and surrender4 ,moses puts this in a simple but beautiful way to his people when he said1 ',thou hast avouched the ,lord this day to be thy ,god1 and to walk in ,his ways1 and to keep ,his statutes1 and ,his commandments1 and ,his judgments1 and to hearken unto ,his voice3 and the ,lord hath avouched thee this day to be ,his peculiar people1 as ,he hath promised thee1 and that thou shouldst keep all ,his commandments'4 ,the appeal of the ,apostle is also familiar to us all1 ',i beseech you1 therefore1 brethren1 by the mercies of ,god1 that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice1 holy1 acceptable unto ,god1 which is your reasonable service'4 ,jesus always kept this before ,his disciples4 ,he certainly talked of daily cross-bearing1 and following and confessing ,him before the world2 but ,he was careful to say to them1 ',there is no man that hath left house1 or parents1 or brethren1 or wife1 or children1 for the kingdom of ,god's sake1 who shall not receive manifold more in this present time1 and in the world to come life everlasting'4 ,our songs and prayers are full of the same ideas1 and we are again face to face with the appeal expressed by ,jeremiah3 ',come1 let us join ourselves unto the ,lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten'4 ,now1 there are certain features of this covenant-making that ,i should like to look at4 #a4 ,to begin with1 it is to be an inward act1 a thing of the heart4 ,i believe in outward tokens of religious life and feeling1 such as standing up1 raising the hand1 coming to the table1 and similar modes of testimony2 but if any of these outward acts are mere forms1 they are next to useless4 ,the heart must be in it if the covenant is to be properly made and maintained4 ,one frequently hears it said1 ',ah1 yes1 ,i do it in my heart4 ,i can get the blessing in my seat or at home quietly4 ,i do not believe in this public line of declaration1 and this parade of one's sacred experiences'4 ,well1 ,i believe1 in both the inward and the outward4 ,if1 however1 we cannot have both1 by all means let us have the covenant made in sincerity of heart1 for without that the whole thing is in vain4 ,we may learn much from an old ,hebrew custom referred to in the twenty-first chapter of ,exodus1 which shows that the ,jewish people understood the nature of true devotion4 ,under the ,mosaic law a bondservant could only be held by his master for six years2 in the seventh he was 'to go out free for nothing'4 ,but if the servant came to his master1 and said1 ',i don't want to go2 ,i love you2 ,i will not go out free2 ,i will serve you for ever'1 the master would reply1 ',if you really mean that1 let us have it settled1 and settled in public'4 ,the master would then bring the servant to the judges to register the agreement1 and would also take him to the doorpost1 and with an awl bore a hole through the man's ear1 fastening him to the post4 ,this was the sign of a perpetual covenant1 and everybody who saw it knew that the man's self-surrender to his master was real1 binding1 and permanent4 ,we have no such ceremony in our public ,meetings1 but we can have the definite declaration1 ',i love ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 and ,i will serve ,thee2 and here and now ,i bind myself in an everlasting covenant to serve ,thee for ever'4 #b4 ,then1 again1 a true covenant is a deed which commits you to active and definite service4 ,some covenant-makings are largely sentimental2 a kind of religious ,,iou or promise to pay1 and ,i fear some are treated as the ,irishman treated his responsibility when1 having signed a promissory note for a debt1 he exclaimed1 ',thank ,god1 that is done with6' ,the vows and covenant-making which ,god wants are those which will be followed by something practical4 ,the states of emotion and high spiritual contemplation are right in so far as they assist men to realize the presence of ,god and ,divine things2 but to answer their purpose they must carry men out to activity and self-denying service for ,god and those around them4 ,the highest type of religion is a combination of the experimental and the practical1 the inward and the outward1 the personal and the relative4 ,our consecration must include what ,god can get out of us as well as what we obtain from ,him4 ,i found a parable the other day in a legend of the ,greek ,church which is worth repeating4 ,that ,church has two favourite saints--,st4 ,cassianus1 the type of monastic asceticism1 and ,st4 ,nicholas1 the type of genial1 active1 unselfish1 laborious ,christianity4 ,st4 ,cassianus enters ,heaven1 and ,christ says to him1 ',what hast thou seen on earth1 ,cassianus8' ',i saw'1 he answered1 'a peasant floundering with his wagon in a marsh'4 ',didst thou help him8' ',no4' ',why not8' ',i was coming before ,thee1' said ,st4 ,cassianus1 'and ,i was afraid of soiling my white robes'4 ,just then ,st4 ,nicholas enters ,heaven1 all covered with mud and mire4 ',why so stained and soiled1 ,st4 ,nicholas8' said the ,lord4 ',i saw a peasant floundering in a marsh1' said ,st4 ,nicholas1 'and ,i put my shoulder to the wheel1 and helped him out'4 ',blessed art thou'1 answered the ,lord4 ',thou didst well2 thou didst better than ,cassianus4' ,and ,he blessed ,st4 ,nicholas with fourfold approval4 ,the moral is so obvious that ,i need not labour the application of my parable4 #c4 ,let me also impress upon you that covenant-making must be a believing act4 ,that is to say1 when you come up to the altar of consecration1 and say1 ',here ,i give my all to ,thee'1 you must believe that if you are good for your word the ,lord is also good for ,his4 ,so that what you give1 ,god accepts2 what you claim1 ,god gives4 ,that may appear a very simple way of putting the faith that saves and sanctifies1 but in all its simplicity it is true1 for ',he is faithful who hath promised'4 #d4 ,then comes the all-important necessity of standing to your consecration at all costs4 ',let us join ourselves to the ,lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten4' ,god wants men and women who stand to their covenant2 who1 having made their pledges and promises1 are not turned aside by difficulties or temptations1 but say and mean1 as we sing sometimes-- ,high ,heaven1 that heard the solemn vow1 ,that vow renewed shall daily hear1 ,till in life's latest hour ,i bow1 ,and bless in death a bond so dear4 ,in the ,book of ,judges there is the story of a man named ,jephthah4 ,he made a vow1 and when the test came he found it involved the sacrifice of one who was all the world to him--his daughter1 and she was his only child4 ,jephthah rent his clothes1 and almost broke his heart2 and1 no doubt1 everybody expected him to set aside his vow2 but1 no1 he stood to it1 declaring1 ',i have opened my mouth unto the ,lord1 and ,i cannot go back'4 ,there are some1 thank ,god1 who equally stand to their covenants with ,him2 but1 alas6 that so many open their mouths1 and sing and say words of consecration1 but when the temptation comes they do not stand to their vows4 ,of all the people who hinder the cause of ,jesus ,christ1 ,i think the most lamentable cases are those who go back upon their ,lord4 ,having spoken1 they do not fulfil their word2 having vowed1 they do not perform their vows4 ,they lack that decision which can be expressed in the words1 ',i will pay my vows unto the ,lord now in the presence of ,his people'1 and ,i want to urge all such to join with those of us who1 bowing before the ,divine altar1 renew our covenant1 resolving by ,his grace to bind ourselves in perpetual devotion and service4 ,take my poor heart1 and let it be ,for ever closed to all but ,thee2 ,seal ,thou my breast1 and ,i shall wear ,the pledge of love for ever there4 ,,xiii ,the ,baptism of the ,spirit ',and suddenly there came a sound from ,heaven as of a rushing mighty wind4444 ,and they were all filled with the ,holy ,ghost4' 7,acts ii4 #b1 #d47 ,the ,holy ,ghost is the active force in all spiritual life4 ,it is1 therefore1 important that we should realize the close connexion between the experience of ,holiness and that ',promise of the ,father' for which the early disciples were to wait4 ,all followers of ,jesus should realize1 as truly as the disciples did on that historic day1 that their day of ,pentecost has fully come1 and each of us should be able to say1 ',not only was the ,holy ,ghost outpoured upon the waiting host in that ,jewish centre1 but ,pentecost has come to my heart4 ,the ,spirit of the living ,god has come to me4' ,now1 whatever manifestations of the ,holy ,ghost there might have been in ,old ,testament times--and without question there were some wonderful displays--the age in which we live is the dispensation of the ,holy ,ghost for us4 ,our ,lord said that ,he should come to convince the world of sin1 and to produce many other mighty effects4 ,to my mind1 that ,pentecostal event was like the launching of ,god's great campaign for the evangelization of the world4 ,the world without the ,holy ,ghost would be as dark1 spiritually1 as the material world was in the beginning before the ,spirit moved upon the face of the waters1 and ,god said1 ',let there be light'4 ,going over ,peter's sermon on that occasion1 we find him quoting ,joel's very wonderful prophecy1 claiming its fulfilment that day4 ,and amongst all the glorious truths that have been proclaimed in our own time1 there is none grander than that ,god will dwell with men--yea1 the ,spirit of ,god will dwell in men4 ,you cannot read your ,bibles1 nor look through the books of human experience1 without seeing that ,god's great purpose in the outpouring of the ,spirit was the setting up of ,his ,kingdom upon the earth4 ,and we see that as the ,son of ,god humbled ,himself to earth's poverty1 ignominy1 and death1 to redeem men1 so the ,holy ,ghost is sent to be the great operating force in leading the world back to ,god4 ,the hope of the world is in the presence of the ,holy ,ghost through ,jesus ,christ4 ,it is so in relation to the individual soul4 ,the ,holy ,ghost stands at the door of the ,kingdom of ,god1 either to bar the entrance or to fit the soul to enter4 ,you remember the ,saviour's words to ,nicodemus1 ',except a man be born of water and of the ,spirit1 he cannot enter the kingdom of ,god'4 ,there is1 and can be1 no entrance without conversion4 ',no man'1 says ,paul1 'can call ,jesus ,lord1 but by the ,holy ,ghost4' ,and when some would have put outward religion or the profession of it in the place of this conversion1 the deciding point was stated in unmistakable terms3 ',if any man have not the ,spirit of ,christ he is none of ,his4' ,the ,holy ,ghost is the ,spirit of ,life1 the ,spirit of ,health1 the ,spirit of ,love1 the ,spirit of ,power1 and there would be no hope for the human soul or the individual life apart from ,his gracious presence and influence4 ,this matter cannot be explained in terms of ordinary language1 but it is none the less real and definite in human experience4 ,to ,nicodemus1 ,jesus said1 ',the wind bloweth where it listeth1 and thou hearest the sound thereof1 but canst not tell whence it cometh1 and whither it goeth3 so is every one that is born of the ,spirit'4 ,the ,spirit1 like the wind1 is mysterious in movement1 uncontrolled by human restriction1 and yet its influences are all-pervading4 ,the courses of the wind are to be discerned by the effects2 equally so will the ,spirit's operations2 mysterious1 unfettered1 unexplainable these operations may be1 but the effects are discernible in ourselves and others4 ,analysing the purpose of ,god in the outpouring of the ,holy ,ghost1 we see its application to ourselves in several ways4 ,there is the rectification of our own hearts1 the revealing of ,divine things within us1 the transforming of our characters4 ,all these are indications of the ,holy ,ghost's work in ourselves2 and then comes the power to help and bless and save others1 ,god making us channels of blessing1 and instruments by which ,his ,kingdom can be extended4 ,in this connexion there are two sayings of ,jesus1 which1 although the figure is changed1 come up together in my mind4 ,the first is in the story of the woman at the well in ,samaria4 ,the ,saviour said to her what is very applicable to you1 ',whosoever drinketh of the water that ,i shall give him shall never thirst2 but the water that ,i shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life'4 ,later1 on the last day of the feast1 ,jesus said1 ',he that believeth on ,me1 out of him shall flow rivers of living water'4 ,do you see what those two sayings of ,jesus set before us8 ,the one shows how the ,baptism of the ,spirit provides the inward spring1 the inward supply1 bubbling up within1 fresh1 clean1 sweet1 and vitalizing like a 'fountain ever springing'2 the other indicates the outflow1 from us to others1 of this spiritual force and blessing4 ,now1 you want both the inward spring and the outward flow4 ,some of you are very desirous about the second provision3 ',out of you shall flow rivers of living water'4 ,it is good that you have such desires2 but before you can become a channel through which the vital force can flow for the ,salvation of others1 you must yourselves be the subject of the ,spirit's operations within you4 ,not only as the great ,revealer must the ,holy ,ghost make ,divine things real to you1 but as a purifying flame ,he must change your nature1 purging away the natural corruption and sinfulness of your heart4 ,an ,eastern legend says that an angel once rested by a fair fountain4 ,in a favoured hour he infused it with a mysterious power1 so that if only some drops of its water were scattered in a barren plain1 a fountain of sweet water would spring up4 ,any traveller who henceforth came to the spring might1 after refreshing himself1 take some portion from it1 and carry with him the secret of unfailing springs1 and suffer no fear of thirst either for himself or those with him4 ,we are such travellers1 and for us the water which ,christ gives is better than that fabled fountain1 for he who carries the precious water may drop it in places where no spiritual water is1 and so bring life and blessing to the multitudes of needy souls4 ,oh1 note the words1 ',the water that ,i shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up'1 and 'out of him shall flow rivers of living water'4 ,this ,he spake of the ,spirit which they that believe on ,him should afterwards receive4 ,that is a very blessed promise1 ',ye shall receive power after that the ,holy ,ghost is come upon you'2 and yet1 so far as we understand the prevailing experience of ,christian people1 the promises of power are very feebly realized1 and very slowly acted upon4 ,when we see the manifest lack of the ,holy ,ghost in the experience1 and ask1 ',why is this8' we know that the cause may lie in certain easily defined facts4 ,one reason may be the actual existence of sin in the heart--some hidden or secret wrong4 ,there are numbers in whose hearts there is something wrong4 ,is it so with you8 ,is there some inward love of or desire for evil8 ,or the world spirit--is that there8 ,or anything of a similar character8 ,now1 before the ,holy ,ghost can flow into you1 to say nothing of ,him flowing through and out of you1 these wrong things must be purged away by the cleansing stream2 or1 to change the figure1 the purifying flame must ,burn up the dross of base desire1 ,and make the mountains flow4 ,or the hindrance may lie in a want of surrender and faith1 without which the ,spirit cannot possess and use us4 ,i am not speaking of some act of surrender or faith only1 but also of that condition which must be maintained4 ,it is just that neglect or withdrawal which disturbs the touch with ,god1 and so the connexion is broken4 ,you are all familiar with the electric switch and the light4 ,you know how slight is the thing which connects or disconnects the current4 ,a child's finger can touch a button which will turn on enough electricity to blast a rock or move the machinery of a great factory4 ,and so ,i tell you that little things which are held on to against ,god's will switch off the ,power4 ,that unwillingness in some hearts to follow the ,lord1 and do as ,he commands1 will switch it off2 that spirit which chooses to do this1 but won't do that2 which says1 ',i will go here1 but ,i won't go there'1 that sort of thing breaks the connexion4 ,this comes home very close to some of you1 for1 alas6 it is just there that your power fails4 ,you must ask yourselves what are the hindrances1 if any1 in your hearts and lives8 ,some of you are weak1 wavering1 wobbling1 and uncertain4 ,if you look closely you will find the secret of that in your want of surrender and faith4 ,do not make a mistake2 the inward experience is closely related to the outward service4 ,god's plan is first to do the cleansing1 and then the filling2 first the inward spring1 and then the outward flowing river4 ,one other important thing4 ,if you have not got the ,holy ,spirit abiding within you1 no substitute will meet the need4 ,many try to make other things produce the same effects--religious talking1 singing1 energetic service1 or the memories of spiritual experiences4 ,these are all very good1 but of themselves they will no more meet the necessities of your hearts and lives than a picture of a fire will warm the man who spreads out his hands before it4 ,you must have the real thing--the power of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,now1 the ,lord is around and among us1 saying1 ',receive ye the ,holy ,ghost'2 and whether you are an enslaved sinner1 or a backslider in heart2 or whether it is the assurance of ,salvation1 cleansing from sin1 or power for service1 which you lack1 the ,holy ,ghost will meet your particular need4 ,let ,god work ,his will in you1 and in ,jesus ,christ's name ,i say1 ',receive ye the ,holy ,ghost'4 ',tis fire we want1 for fire we plead1 ,send the fire6 ,the fire will meet our every need1 ,send the fire6 ,for strength to ever do the right1 ,for grace to conquer in the fight1 ,for power to walk the world in white1 ,send the fire6 ,to make our weak hearts strong and brave1 ,send the fire6 ,to live a dying world to save1 ,send the fire6 ,oh1 see us on ,thy altar lay ,our lives1 our all1 this very day-- ,to crown the offering now we pray1 ,send the fire6 ,,xiv ,lost ,earnings ',he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes4' 7,haggai i4 #f47 ,in our ,holiness ,meetings we often speak of ,full ,salvation as a blessing to be obtained1 and also a blessing to be retained2 but ,i want now to turn the truth the other way round1 and speak about 'losing the blessing'4 ,these words of ,haggai about the man who lost his earnings through a faulty bag will serve me as a text1 and are very significant4 ,as a figure of speech1 the words are well understood4 ,from the boy who1 by holding a horse1 or running errands1 earns threepence1 and puts it into a pocket with a hole at the bottom1 to the man or woman who puts the savings of years into a rotten speculation1 all know the literal meaning of ,haggai's text1 ',he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes'4 ,the central idea is that something gained by hard effort has been lost1 and that the loss was due to the man's own fault4 ,the man had earned his wages1 and then let what he had won by toil slip through holes in the bag into which he put it4 ,the possibility of this in relation to spiritual blessings is a danger we are warned against in ,god's ,word1 and the necessity for guarding against such losses is one of the important lessons to be learned4 ,this text reminds me of an incident and parable in the ,book of ,kings4 ,during the progress of a battle one of the leaders1 having captured a prisoner1 called to a subordinate and placed the captive in his care1 to be kept at the risk of his life4 ,later1 the man had to give an account1 and when admitting the loss of the prisoner he said1 ',as thy servant was busy here and there1 he was gone'4 ,alas6 there are many whose spiritual acquisitions have slipped away like that4 ,the spiritual application of this thought is brought home to us by a verse in the ,epistle to the ,hebrews1 ',therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard1 lest at any time we should let them slip'4 ,if you look in the margin of your ,bible1 you will see the words1 'run out as leaking vessels'1 and in the ,revised ,version the words read1 'drift away from them'4 ,you see the idea is1 that unless you are careful you will lose your blessing after having enjoyed it4 ,looking round my audiences ,i can with fitness use these figures1 and apply the idea to many who1 after tears and agonies of heart1 secured the ,salvation of their souls1 and the heavenly treasure which only the pardoned sinner knows2 but1 alas6 through the faulty bag1 or pocket with holes1 their earnings slipped away1 and they are now spiritual bankrupts1 their latter state being worse than the first4 ,thank ,god1 if those who have thus lost their ,salvation and peace will truly repent and do their first works1 they may again obtain heavenly treasure1 and with it grace and wisdom to prevent the repetition of past follies4 ,let others learn and take heed lest they also drift away1 as the ,apostle puts it4 ,my chief purpose1 however1 relates to those who1 though they once had the blessing of a clean heart1 have lost it4 ,their present lack is not due to their having exhausted their earnings in lawful pursuits1 or because they invested their treasure in sanctified enterprises1 but because they have let the blessing slip2 or1 turning back to ,haggai's words1 they have been as him 'that earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes'4 ,the experience is a thing of the past4 ,at times they are tempted to say that they were deluded1 and never had the blessing1 or that they were as a man who only dreamed that he had his wages2 but that is not so4 ,the wages were earned1 but lost4 ,so you must not regard your experience as the sensations of a dream4 ,you had the blessing right enough1 and some of you had secured it at no small sacrifice2 but1 alas6 you let it slip out of your possession1 and you woke up to find it gone4 ,it is remarkable how many sanctified people have to testify that before they settled into the regular experience of ,full ,salvation they lost the blessing which they had received2 in fact1 some eminent saints have recorded repeated experiences of loss before they learned how to carry themselves and guard against the dangers4 ,perhaps here ,i ought to say definitely1 that the ,bible does not tell us of any stage in our heavenward journey at which we can be saved from the possibility of losing the blessing4 ,this blessed treasure of perfect purity1 peace which passeth all understanding1 and joy unspeakable1 is only ours so long as we maintain that entire consecration and faith which are the conditions on which the blessing is received4 ,there is no spot where the advice is not necessary--',keep thy heart with all diligence1 for out of it are the issues of life'4 ,paul put it clearly1 ',let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall'1 and showed how seriously he regarded the matter when he declared that he had to keep his body under and in hand1 lest after preaching to others he should himself become a castaway4 ,i have called to mind two remarkable touches of ,bunyan1 in his ',pilgrim's ,progress'4 ,the first picture shows us ,christian1 weary with climbing the ,hill ,difficulty1 turning aside into a pleasant arbour where he sat down to rest4 ,for the comfort of his own heart he pulled out his roll of assurance4 ,he also began to examine with great satisfaction the coat which had been given to him1 and 'after pleasing himself for a while' he fell into a slumber1 and in his sleep let the roll fall from his hand4 ,mercifully1 ,christian was awakened1 and hasted along the road4 ,later1 he got into great temptation1 and1 desiring to reassure his own heart1 he put his hand into his bosom to find the roll1 'which was his pass to the ,celestial ,city'2 but1 to his horror1 it was not there6 ,after great distress ,christian remembered his sleeping in the arbour1 and painfully retraced his steps 'bewailing his sinful sleep in the midst of difficulty'4 ,he reached the place of his loss1 and at last espied the roll which had slipped out of his hand4 ,he secured it once more1 and after giving thanks for his recovery1 the ,pilgrim betook himself again to his journey4 ,bunyan's other picture of ,vain-hope is even more pathetic4 ,the vision shows the gate of the ,celestial ,city1 and the entrance of ,christian and other pilgrims4 ,but when this man1 ,vain-hope1 came up1 he had no roll or certificate1 having lost it1 if he ever had it2 the poor wretch passed away to 'a door on the side of the hill'1 which caused the dreamer to write1 ',then ,i saw that there is a way to ,hell even from the very gates of ,heaven'4 ,how true1 therefore1 it is1 that at every stage of the heavenward journey1 one has to guard against the loss of that spiritual treasure which has been secured at such a cost4 ,i hope you see clearly that the ,divine treasure is all right1 and the possibility of its continued enjoyment is not in question4 ,if lost1 the fault is with the bag or carrier of the bag4 ,but by pointing out some of the holes in the bag through which certain people have lost their blessing1 we may help them and others4 ,as one hole through which spiritual loss is sustained1 let me first speak of ignorance4 ,i do not say that in an unkind way4 ,by ignorance ,i mean lack of knowledge4 ,you cannot imagine a man putting his wages into a faulty pocket if he knew there was a hole there4 ,there are traps and pitfalls for the newly sanctified4 ,some know of them2 others do not know1 and are unprepared for dangers and the devices of the ,devil1 who1 if he cannot hinder a man getting the blessing will scheme to rob him of it4 ,for instance1 temptations to doubt are pressed on a soul just entering the path of ,holiness3 ',can it be8' ',have ,i been deceiving myself8' ',i thought ,i should have such and such sensations2 where are the feelings of ecstasy which ,i expected8' ,the uninstructed soul often confuses feelings with assurance1 particularly if in the moment of deliverance some special wave of feeling swept over the soul4 ,when this wave subsides the sensations are different1 and the soul is tempted to doubt the reality of the transaction4 ,personally1 ,i am always thankful that both in the matter of conversion and getting a clean heart1 the ,lord left me to claim the blessing by naked faith4 ,i had little or no special feelings2 ,i just had to go on believing4 ,i stepped out1 as upon thin air1 and found my feet on the rock4 ,for lack of knowledge many souls imagine that ,holiness will mean ecstasy1 or that the sanctified soul will not feel temptation2 and ,satan feeds the anxious thought until sometimes the hand of faith is unclasped1 and the blessing lost for the time being4 ,later on the faithful soul learns to hold on1 to resist the enemy's insidious attacks1 and understands the meaning of the lines-- ,quick as the apple of the eye ,the first approach of sin to feel4 ,again1 unwatchfulness is a hole1 a danger against which ,i warn you4 ,recently saved people1 and those who have recently found ,full ,salvation1 are tempted to say1 ',glory to ,god1 now ,i am all right6' forgetting that1 although on the right road1 the journey is before them1 and that the rule of the road is1 ',as ye received the ,lord ,jesus1 so walk in ,him'4 ,do not forget the relation between those two little words 'as' and 'so'4 ,now the word unwatchfulness1 or ,i might change it for carelessness1 is a very general term4 ,i will touch upon two or three things in which it shows itself4 ,going where ,jesus could not go with you2 to do that is like playing with pitch1 or with fire4 ,keeping company with the wrong people3 some of you lose there2 treating ,meetings and prayer lightly2 resenting little unkindnesses and persecution2 carelessness of speech2 gossiping1 frivolity1 forgetting that whilst the ,holy ,ghost is a ,spirit of ,joy1 ,he is grieved by lightness and frivolous jesting4 ,these are some of the little holes through which the blessing drops out4 ,you must watch and pray1 that ye enter not into temptation4 ,then1 holding back from testimony is a snare into which some of you have fallen4 ,listen to me6 ,some of you have tried to testify1 and your very backwardness and fear have been holes in your bag through which the blessing has been lost4 ,may ,i once more refer to myself4 ,when1 during a long course of years1 ,i have been bold and outspoken about my possession of the blessing of ,full ,salvation and my relations to ,god1 sureness and confidence have filled my heart2 but when ,i have been tempted to modify and hedge and hesitate in the terms of my testimony1 ,i have had reason to say1 ',is it so8 ,where am ,i8' ,apply what ,i am saying to your own experience1 and judge ye what ,i say4 ,failure to walk in the light has been the cause of many professors of ,holiness losing their blessing4 ,the path of ,holiness brings many surprises and tests4 ,demands not previously thought of come upon one2 duties not expected are presented2 sacrifices are required3 ,do this1 do that4 ,let that go4 ,follow here1 go there4 ,i doubt whether any single day passes which does not bring its test of our consecration4 ,if you follow the light1 you will be safe2 but if you refuse it1 you will go under4 ,disobedience and a spirit of unwillingness knock holes in the bag4 ,it has been so with some of you1 and loss has been the result4 ,i want to add a word about personal prayer in this connexion1 for ,i believe many owe their loss to a neglect of that essential4 ,the lack of prayer shows over-confidence in oneself1 and accounts for many falls4 ',praying always with all prayer and supplication in the ,spirit1 and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication4' ,this is indeed a necessary condition of keeping the blessing4 ,my closing question ,is a very straight one4 ,have you got the blessing of a clean heart now8 ,if you have had it and lost it1 seek it once more4 ,make haste to the altar2 renew your consecration again1 claiming the blessing1 and the ,lord will restore you4 ,,xv ,fighting ,holiness ',fight the good fight of faith1 lay hold on eternal life4' 7#a ,timothy vi4 #ab47 ,my object1 in announcing ',fighting ,holiness' as my subject1 is to make it quite clear that a ,full ,salvation does not mean a hot-house emotionalism or glass-case sanctity1 but a vigorous1 daring1 aggressive religion1 on the lines of the ,saviour's words1 ',the ,kingdom of ,heaven suffereth violence1 and the violent take it by force'4 ,if this text1 ',fight the good fight of faith'1 means anything at all1 it means you must struggle for the thing you believe in4 ,if you do not fight for it1 the inference is either that you have little love for and confidence in your cause1 or that you are indolent and unfaithful to that cause4 ,you say you believe in the rightness of ,god's claims upon the hearts and lives of men2 you believe in the humiliation and passion of ,christ to redeem men2 you believe in the necessity for and possibility of rescuing human souls from the curse of evil and the eternal penalty of sin2 but1 believe me1 your faith is vain if you do not stand for1 and labour and fight to enforce1 ,god's claims to proclaim ,christ's redeeming grace1 and to deliver men from going down to the pit4 ,the aspects of personal ,holiness set out in terms such as 'perfect peace' and the 'rest of faith' are frequently before us1 and ,i do not desire to reduce their value1 for it is a blessed truth that 'we which have believed do enter into rest'4 ,if by the 'rest of faith' is meant that calm confidence in the power and grace of ,god by which the believing and obedient soul is kept in perfect peace1 then1 all right2 that1 however1 is very different from the only-believe-and-do-nothing policy of some people who adopt the phrase4 ,let there be no mistake about the fact that every consecrated man must take his place in ,god's fighting line4 ,the story of ,mary of ,bethany1 'who sat at the ,lord's feet1 and heard ,his word'1 also appeals to me2 but the emphasis is not quite as some people put it4 ,what ,christ commended in ,mary was not that she sat at ,his feet whilst ,martha did all the hard work1 but that she had 'chosen the good part--the one thing needful'1 which her anxious sister seems to have overlooked4 ,there is rest for the struggling soul who finds in ,jesus a real deliverer4 ,there is rest for the soul tossed about on waves of doubt and fear1 who1 anchoring in the haven of the ,saviour's love1 finds peace in believing4 ,for the faithful but tired servant of ,christ who 'works whilst it is called day'1 for the warrior also who has faced the enemy and braved the danger1 there is rest2 but the rest comes after the working and fighting is over4 ,i like the words 'fight' and 'fighting'1 because they involve taking a side1 and devoting oneself to secure victory for the side one belongs to4 ,i heard some one remark the other day1 ',god wants fighting saints as well as kissing saints'2 truly the phrase is not without its lesson for us4 ,this is the very opposite to the attitude known as 'sitting on the fence'1 or that wretched fear which seems to possess some professed followers of ,jesus ,christ1 who1 outside a church or religious ,meeting1 are afraid to declare themselves for ,him4' ,i am for ,jesus ,christ1 and ,i want everybody to know it'2 that is the line of the true ,soldier4 ,oh1 how the spirit of compromise curses and hinders the work of ,god6 ,i think the man who invented the phrase 'out-and-out consecration' was a benefactor to the cause1 seeing it is such a contradiction of the half-and-half spirit which characterizes so much religious profession and service4 ,when reading the history of the ,american ,civil ,war1 ,i found instances of strange fraternizing on the part of the soldiers of contending armies4 ,sometimes the soldiers of the ,north would be on one side of a river when the ,southern troops were on the other side4 ,with the evening came suspension of hostilities1 and under cover of darkness men of one army would cross over to the enemy's camp to smoke and talk with men who during the day had sought their destruction4 ,that may have seemed very fine1 from a certain point of view1 but is regrettable in religious warfare4 ,when the ,soldiers of ,jesus cross over to the ,devil's forces for their pleasure and refreshment1 it indicates little devotion to their ,king or enthusiasm for ,his cause4 ,why should we be friends with the enemies of our ,lord8 ,if we have sincerely chosen ,his side1 let all compromise cease1 and each of us declare and stand for ,him at all costs4 ,then this idea of ,fighting ,holiness implies that the sanctified ,soldier of ,christ is an aggressor in the struggle for his ,lord's supremacy4 ,he cannot be content with following the line of the least resistance2 he is rather in the spirit of the words already quoted1 ',the ,kingdom of ,heaven suffereth violence1 and the violent take it by force'4 ,the business of attack in ,spiritual ,soldier-ship is quite as important as the protection of your own soul or defence of your position4 ,it may involve doing violence to your own feelings1 and oft-times to the feelings of others1 but you cannot be faithful to your profession unless willing to attack the ,devil's strongholds1 and fight evil in its own entrenchments4 ,i was much interested a few days ago in the story of a man connected with a ,corps where there has been a marvellous religious awakening4 ,the man got truly saved1 and became a ,salvation ,soldier4 ,a month later he was convinced of his need of a clean heart1 his chief conviction being that he ought to become 'a fisher of men'4 ,he went to the mercy-seat1 made his consecration1 claimed the blessing and power1 and began fishing for souls4 ,that was a little over a year ago2 recently the results of that man's personal fishing were ascertained1 and it was seen that since his consecration he had personally induced over #cjj persons to go to the mercy-seat for ,salvation4 ,that is an illustration of the aggressive spirit included in ,fighting ,holiness4 ,we each find our own particular difficulties with which we should grapple1 and the enemies whom we ought to attack2 but1 speaking generally1 ,i point to the evil influences which are around us1 cursing the people1 the victims1 alas6 being multiplied by those who fatten on the woes and vices and even ruin of their fellows4 ,these influences must be resisted1 the fiends of ,hell in human form must be grappled with1 and 'the prey be taken from the mighty'4 ,people must be aroused from their indifference and selfishness2 the cold-blooded carelessness and worldliness of formal religionists must be assailed as well as help rendered to those who are ready to perish4 ,our fighting programme must include all this1 if we are to be consistent professors of holy consecration to ,god and ,his ,kingdom4 ,then1 further1 ,i recognize that personal spiritual conflicts are included in ,fighting ,holiness4 ,that is to say1 our battles and victories relate not only to resistance of the ,devil and the rescue of his captives1 but in the varying phases of personal experiences we have to fight this good fight of faith4 ,spiritual conflicts often have much mystery connected with them4 ,if the fact had not been recorded1 that ,christ was tempted in all points like as we are1 and learned obedience in the things which ,he suffered1 we should wonder whether some of our struggles of faith were not the result of personal sin4 ,we know1 however1 that there may be much temptation without either contracting the guilt or stain of sin4 ,it is true that spiritual conflicts are all the more dangerous for those who have not yet found deliverance from their own unsanctified passions and tendencies4 ,a heart in which such things as pride and evil desire1 lust1 worldly ambition1 and ill-tempers remain1 is like a citadel in which traitors lurk to respond to the call of outward enemies4 ,but when the heart is sanctified1 and we are equipped with the armour of which ,paul wrote to the ,ephesians1 the attacks of the enemy can be continually resisted4 ,i cannot cover the area of spiritual conflict4 ,as varied as our characters are our temptations1 and with all the changes in circumstances and physical or mental condition come enticements to evil4 ,we have never taught that ,holiness of heart means freedom from temptation4 ,in one form or another temptation will come to the holiest of us1 and the fight of faith has to be sustained even up to the very gates of ,heaven4 ,the fully consecrated soul has not only to resist the temptations to positive sin1 but must manifest its victory in the patient endurance of physical ills and the trials of life2 and that apostolic note of triumph is also a word of guidance1 ',this is the victory which overcometh 444 even your faith'4 ,human nature1 even with the best of us1 is a marvellous combination4 ,we have nerves which sometimes vibrate like the wires of a highly-strung harp4 ,mental clouds at times seem to shut the sun out of the conditions of life1 and dark shadows stretch across or along the pathway4 ,some of us have dispositions which1 whilst capable of exquisite pleasure1 also expose us to the most acute pain and disappointment4 ,then comes the temptation to charge against our spiritual condition weaknesses which are purely physical4 ,to resist such temptations is indeed the fight of faith4 ,physical depression comes upon some people until1 for the time being1 life is a burden and death would be a relief4 ,measured by their bodily and mental sensations1 their experience is sometimes like a stretch of arid desert1 and in such hours the enemy assails the mind with difficulties and suggestions to doubt1 which can only be conquered by steady confidence in the love and wisdom and prevailing grace of the living ,god4 ,that is the good fight of faith4 ,i hope that what ,i have said will not discourage any soul4 ,remember1 if we are fully given up to ,god1 and seeking to realize ,his will for us1 we are not fighting a losing battle2 ',he that is with us is greater than they that be against us'4 ,the provision of ,divine ,grace is such that1 in spite of enemies and dangers1 our life can be one of victory2 we can be more than conquerors through ,him that loved us4 ,the victor's palm and the overcomer's crown will more than compensate for the self-denial and loss of things which the world counts gain4 ,many of you know the story of a certain ,indian conqueror who1 in his onward march1 came to a temple containing a specially sacred idol4 ,this he was proceeding to destroy1 when the priests and others pleaded with him1 and offered a large sum of money if he would only spare that idol2 but1 refusing the bribe1 the conqueror demolished the image1 and found within it the treasures of the temple1 which for safety had been hidden there4 ,there are many things which we may lose by fighting our battles faithfully1 but the heavenly treasure will more than make up for it all4 ',be thou faithful unto death' is a strong exhortation2 but that which makes it a positive inspiration to loving and enduring service and fighting is the added sentence1 ',i will give thee a crown of life'4 ,,xvi ,sanctified ,commonplaces ',in that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses1 ,holiness unto the ,lord2 and the pots in the ,lord's house shall be like the bowls before the altar4 ,yea1 every pot in ,jerusalem and in ,judah shall be holiness unto the ,lord of hosts4' 7,zechariah xiv4 #bj1 #ba47 ,what ,i have to say may not strike some of you as setting forth any very high or exalted truth1 but ,i am satisfied as to its being a very important matter4 ,i want to talk to you about the sanctification of the commonplace things in life4 ,however desirable it may seem1 you cannot always be sitting at the ,master's feet in that contemplative1 ecstatic mood sometimes attributed to ,mary4 ,like ,martha1 we have to do a good deal of serving4 ,whether we are encumbered by 'much serving' is a separate question2 but if we are to fulfil the ,divine tasks we have to do a great deal of serving as well as praying and trusting4 ,i may quote1 with slight alteration1 two lines of a poem3-- ,who sleeps and dreams that life is beauty1 ,will wake to find that life is duty4 ,how true that is in practical life many of us know full well4 ,the most attractive manifestation of ,god's power is seen in the fact that ,he stoops to touch men at the points of their daily need4 ,it is that aspect of the grace of ,god--the meeting your need in the daily battle of life--which makes it so supremely precious4 ,in the same way1 when we1 who profess to be followers and imitators of our ,heavenly ,father1 and to regulate our conduct by the principles of holy living1 bring these principles to bear upon the ordinary relationships of life1 we are most accepted in our witness for ,jesus ,christ1 and exert the best1 the most effective influence upon others4 ,these are the thoughts that have been in my mind1 and which have led me to the subject upon which ,i wish to speak3 the sanctification of the commonplace things4 ,my thoughts arise from reading this passage in the ,book of ,zechariah3 ',in that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses1 ,holiness unto the ,lord2 and the pots in the ,lord's house shall be like the bowls before the altar4 ,yea1 every pot in ,jerusalem and in ,judah shall be holiness unto the ,lord of hosts'4 ,now1 when we look at these things1 these pots and pans and horses and bridles and things of that sort1 having to do with our daily toil1 our cooking and eating1 our work at home and in the streets1 and compare them with the glories of the ,temple1 the golden candlesticks1 the golden vessels1 the ,high ,priest's wonderful garments1 his breastplate1 and1 not least1 with the ,ark of the ,covenant1 we feel they are very commonplace things4 ,and yet1 you see1 according to this statement the same stamp of holiness is to be put upon them all4 ,even the most commonplace of them comes within the scope of this ,divine sanctity1 and there is to be in relation to each of them this sacredness1 this sanctification3 ',holiness unto the ,lord'1 is the stamp for all alike4 ,as an illustration of how ,jesus did great things by the use of the commonplace1 look at that narrative of the marriage in ,cana of ,galilee4 ,we should probably never have heard of this marriage but for our ,lord's miracle2 and yet1 apart from ,his ,divine power1 the process of turning the water into wine and transforming the character of the entire feast1 that event was1 indeed1 a very common one4 ,look1 first of all1 at these clay pots--common enough--jars and jugs1 standing in a corner1 or perhaps standing out on the veranda1 near where the ,saviour was sitting4 ,these pots are easily broken1 and no great value is attached to them4 ,if ,christ had intended to do this great thing you would have imagined that ,he would have called for the best vessels in the house2 but ,he did nothing of the kind4 ,he took the very meanest vessel of the whole household1 and ,he consecrated and sanctified it to ,his ,divine use4 ,look at the water--that is common enough4 ,wine is costly1 but water is cheap2 it is thrown about1 slopped about1 and the pails containing it are often upset because easily filled again4 ,ordinarily speaking1 water is one of the commonest of the commonplace necessaries of life4 ,and yet that water was sanctified for a display of the ,divine power4 ,then there are the servants--never a scarcity in the ,east1 where often there are three to do one man's work4 ,christ did not call the master of the house to stand near and observe ,him1 or say1 ',ye highly-placed guests1 come and see'4 ,he left the head people1 as we should say1 and took the common servants4 ',fill up the jars2 draw it out2 carry it to the governor2 pass it round'1 was ,his simple command4 ,and the water was turned into wine4 ,some one has poetically said1 ',the modest water saw its ,lord1 and blushed'2 but it was more than that1 for ,his was the best wine of the feast4 ,christ1 you see1 sanctified commonplace things and persons to display ,his benevolence and power4 ,make some practical use of them in regard to your own lives4 ,it is hardly needful for me to point out that life is very largely made up of commonplaces--commonplace engagements1 commonplace relationships1 and commonplace duties4 ,there are some who are a little better off than others1 but even such people have common things to do before they get through the routine of life4 ,with some of us it is altogether so--commonplace in the home1 commonplace in the situation1 commonplace in the workshop1 commonplace in the office1 commonplace in what we do for our living1 and commonplace in the persons with whom we are associated4 ,nothing great or dignified about it4 ,it is indeed a case of 'the trivial round1 the common task'4 ,but1 whether you are a business man or a road-sweeper1 you can live the sanctified life4 ,some of you may be heads of houses or domestic servants1 horse-drivers or laundry-workers1 factory hands or the owners of factories2 but whatever you are1 as followers of ,jesus ,christ1 ,god wants you to put this label upon each and every section of your life--',holiness unto the ,lord'4 ,he wants you also to conduct yourselves in every way consistent with that thought4 ,the pots and the pans1 and the bridles of the horses1 and whatever we may have to do1 must be labelled with that4 ',commissioner1 can a man have a clean heart and drive a cab8' a man recently asked me4 ',of course1 he can1' ,i replied1 'and if you come with me ,i will show you how to do it'4 ,why1 the way in which we use these things is to be a part of our consecrated service to ,god4 ,it does not sound very lofty1 but that is just where the highest exhibition of ,holiness can be given to the world4 ,it is not what you do--that may seem very important or may be very trivial2 but it is the manner of doing it and the motive behind it which is the main thing4 ,you have all heard the story of the servant-girl who had got the blessing1 and who1 when asked how she knew she had it1 said that she knew it because she 'now swept under the mats'4 ,what a very simple thing1 and yet the blessing of ,holiness just shows itself in that4 ,sweeping round the mat and in the middle of the room only is not ',holiness'4 ,the girl was quite right2 she knew that the sanctifying ,grace of ,god had made a change in her1 because she wanted to clean where dirt would not have been seen even if left there4 ,how beautiful the lines of ,george ,herbert1 where1 after speaking of doing things 'for ,christ's sake'1 he says3-- ,a servant with this clause ,makes drudgery divine2 ,who sweeps a room as for ,thy laws ,makes that and the action fine4 ,the fact that you do your work in the spirit of your religion sanctifies your lives4 ,it transforms them from secular to sacred4 ,your work and your worship spring from the same motive1 and those who see this treat you and your work with respect4 ,the ,scripture puts it beautifully in speaking of the ,apostles1 ',the people took knowledge of them that they had been with ,jesus'4 ,observe carefully how ,zechariah combines the great and the commonplace4 ,he says not only that the pots in the ,lord's house shall be as sacred as the bowls before the altar1 but that every pot and pan in the city shall be sanctified4 ,the great point to be learned is that the ,holiness of the home is to be as the ,holiness of the ,temple4 ,the dedication which makes the bowls before the altar holy is also to sanctify the pots of the household1 and the bells and trappings of the horses2 the label which was written upon the priest's forehead1 ',holiness unto the ,lord'1 is to be stamped upon the common things1 in the street1 in the shop1 in the house--in fact1 upon everything4 ,get rid for ever of the idea that the affairs of human life are divided into things secular and things sacred2 that business is separate from religion1 and religion separate from business2 that the consecration of certain hours to ,meetings1 to ,bible-reading1 or to religious work1 is a different sort of thing from the devotion of other hours to labour1 or eating1 or physical necessities4 ,now1 such a division may exist with some1 but it cannot be allowed to exist in the lives of those who profess to have consecrated themselves to ,god4 ,in that case there is only one label for everything4 ,for the meanest act1 the commonest duty1 the personal and private habits1 there is only one motive1 ',holiness unto the ,lord'4 ,god's will1 ,god's honour1 ,god's service--these are on the labels4 ,and-- ,the trivial round1 the common task1 ,will furnish all we ought to ask1 ,room to deny ourselves--a road ,to bring us daily nearer ,god4 ,some have not got there yet4 ,they have not made a dedication such as ,zechariah spoke of1 one which governs the whole life1 the big and the little1 the work and the worship1 their associations and pleasures and methods of business4 ,there are things in their daily work and personal habits1 little indulgences or selfishnesses1 to which that label1 ',holiness unto the ,lord'1 cannot be attached4 ,oh1 ,i beseech you1 make no distinctions4 ,let there be no reserves4 ,body1 soul1 spirit1 as we sometimes sing1 lay upon the altar4 ,consecrate yourselves to your ,lord in simplicity and sincerity1 with a simple faith that ,god will baptize you1 and give you ,his ,holy ,spirit to maintain this consecration4 ,what e'er pursuits my time employ1 ,one thought shall fill my soul with joy2 ,that silent1 secret thought shall be ,that all my hopes are fixed on ,thee4 ,,xvii ,spiritual ,growth ',thou shalt be like a watered garden1 and like a spring whose waters fail not4' 7,isaiah lviii4 #aa47 ',grow in grace1 and in the knowledge of our ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ4' 7#b ,peter iii4 #ah47 ,the truths of the ,bible exist in counterpart1 having at least two aspects1 each of which must be considered in relation to the other1 if their full meaning is to be understood4 ,that is a very necessary statement in regard to the aspect of truth which we emphasize under the general heading of ',spiritual ,growth'1 or ',growth in the ,divine ,life'4 ,on the one hand1 we know that spiritual experience is marked by certain crises which are in some cases like earthquakes or tidal waves2 whilst1 on the other hand1 the law of progression must be in constant operation4 ,we speak of conversion as a crisis1 because a man in a moment 'passes from death unto life'2 or1 in the ,saviour's words1 is 'born again'4 ,whatever happens before or after1 there must be that definite change before any man can enter the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,then1 happily1 many have experienced another crisis which we speak of as 'getting a clean heart'4 ,this happens when an enlightened soul fully and absolutely consecrates itself to ,god1 and1 by faith1 claims and realizes that 'the ,blood of ,jesus ,christ cleanseth from all sin'4 ,a man may be a long time1 in coming to that point2 but1 sooner or later1 he must reach and pass it if he is to secure that 'holiness1 without which no man shall see the ,lord'4 ,but whilst no amount of improvement in moral character can dispense with the crises referred to1 we cannot rightly magnify the definite transactions at conversion or cleansing1 or any other remarkable point of religious life1 to the detraction of spiritual growth4 ,each aspect of the truth1 as ,i have already said1 is the counterpart of the other1 and must be viewed in its natural perspective4 ,people sometimes express themselves in exaggerated language as regards both aspects of truth4 ,a lady friend1 referring to a young person of beautiful disposition1 said to me1 ',ah1 you see1 in her case there is no need of conversion4 ,she was born sanctified like her mother4' ,quite a false notion4 ,but it is equally foolish for persons to exclaim1 ',i am converted1 and a child of ,god2 now ,i am all right'2 or1 ',now ,i have got a clean heart2 it is all done'4 ,as a matter of fact1 there is no more important principle to be cultivated than the law of progression or advance in the ,divine life4 ,that principle is certainly in perfect harmony with ,scripture teaching1 and is expressed in ,peter's exhortation1 ',grow in grace1 and in the knowledge of our ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ'4 ,paul's words about 'growing up unto ,him in all things which is the head even ,christ'1 express the same thought2 whilst ,john shows the ascending grades of spiritual experience in directing his words to 'little children'1 'young men'1 and 'fathers'4 ,these grades are not measured by years1 but by progress in spiritual life and vigour and personal knowledge of ,god4 ,the ,bible contains many figures illustrating this idea of growth or progress1 whether applied to character or service4 ,for example1 it refers to the garden as a place where things grow1 and thus illustrates the garden of the soul2 to the development of a building in course of erection1 'all fitly framed together' and growing2 to the growth of a fortune by wise investment1 in the use of talents1 two becoming four1 five becoming ten1 and so forth4 ,the growth of the human body is also referred to1 with its limbs1 muscles1 and parts developing with the head2 and the growth of the student1 as exemplified in the text1 ',add to your faith virtue2 and to virtue knowledge2 and to knowledge temperance2 and to temperance patience2 and to patience godliness2 and to godliness brotherly kindness2 and to brotherly kindness charity'4 ,then the ideas associated with a garden or the field are also used as illustrations4 ,the ,bible parables from nature are very significant and powerful4 ,they embrace the vine and its branches1 the sower and the seed1 the lily among thorns1 the trees planted by the rivers of water2 and thus the facts of the spiritual realm are made clear to us4 ,i often speak of the garden of the soul4 ,if ,i widen the figure1 and apply it to our personal character and general make-up1 we shall see the similitude of a garden which is a place where all sorts of things grow2 things related to the body1 and to the mind1 and to life generally4 ,the gardener studies his ground1 and the possible products and available seed4 ,he seeks to get rid of the weeds and briers and poisonous plants1 in order that the desired products may grow to perfection4 ,so the ground of our hearts and characters must be purged from the weeds and hindering things which grow with the affections and disposition generally4 ,evil things flourish apace in the garden of human nature2 but if they are removed1 sanctified seed may be sown1 and holy plants may be cultivated4 ,the ,bible also speaks of ,god's saints as being in 'the garden of the ,lord'1 as trees which ,his right hand planted1 or growing from seed which ,he has sown1 blossoming as the rose1 fragrant as the honeysuckle and almond1 and bringing forth the fruits of righteousness to the glory of ,his name4 ,but whether you look at your souls as a garden1 from which evil plants are to be removed1 and in which the plants of ,god's grace are to flourish instead1 or regard yourselves as trees in ,god's garden1 the ideas are always connected with growth1 enlargement1 and productiveness4 ,isaiah gives an illustration which is in striking contrast4 ,speaking of ,god's idea concerning ,his saints1 he says1 ',thou shalt be like a watered garden1 and a spring whose waters fail not'2 but he supplies another picture of those 'who forsake the ,lord' after having known ,him1 ,god saying to them1 ',ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth1 and as a garden that hath no water'4 ,let us look well at ourselves1 and find out to which class we belong4 ,the religion of ,jesus ,christ is pre-eminently good because it marks things of evil growth as things to be rooted out1 and it produces qualities in the soul and character which are ,christ-like1 such as love1 forgiveness of injuries1 patience1 devotion1 and self-sacrifice for the good of others4 ,these are all things which grow1 and must grow1 if we are to be as ,god wants us to be4 ,cleansing from evil things we must definitely seek and secure2 but growth in grace and peace and ,divine knowledge1 and skill in service1 must be sought and cultivated by us continually4 ,it may help our understanding of this truth if we study carefully the process in the growth of a good tree4 ,if there is satisfactory development1 three things in the tree will be discovered2 namely1 growth in the root1 growth in the branches1 and growth in the form of flowers and fruit4 #a4 ,i said growth in the root4 ,this means that the tree must strike deep1 deeper1 and deeper still1 so as to get an increasingly firm grip on the earth below1 from which it draws much of its support4 ,without this the tree will fall of its own top-weight1 or be uprooted by the storms which will rage about it4 ,so1 in the individual soul and character there must1 below the surface1 be a deepening and spreading and gripping of the spiritual forces and principles and realizations1 those hidden connexions with the ,divine ,unseen without which one cannot stand before the storms and scorching tests of life4 ,one of the sacred writers speaks of a section of ,god's people in trouble1 and in danger of being wiped out1 but reveals ,god's purpose for them in these words1 ',they shall yet again take root downward1 and bear fruit upward'4 ,it is not difficult to grasp the principle illustrated2 we must cultivate a religion with roots1 otherwise our experience will be superficial and shallow1 and1 like the seed in the parable1 with no depth of earth1 and having little root1 will ultimately become dried up4 ,this really means growth in secret1 growth out of sight1 and reminds us of the beautiful words of ,jesus3 ',when thou prayest1 enter into thy closet2 and when thou hast shut thy door1 pray to thy ,father which is in secret2 and thy ,father which seeth in secret shall ,himself reward thee openly'4 ,there are many kinds of prayer1 but here is one that helps growth in the very roots of our religion4 ,it fits in with the ,psalmist's word1 ',he that dwelleth in the secret place of the ,most ,high shall abide under the shadow of the ,almighty'4 #b4 ,i also spoke of growth in the branches4 ,it is easy to understand what the growth of trunk and branches means in a tree2 it grows higher1 develops strength1 and reaches out farther4 ,it means the same when applied to growth in grace and character2 getting power to grow stronger in resisting evil and standing for the right2 stronger to say ',yes' and ',no'2 stronger to discharge our duty1 and to endure hardness as good soldiers of ,christ4 ,equally it means reaching out1 stretching farther1 and extending our efforts to reach and help and bless4 ,the banyan tree of the ,east affords us an apt illustration in this connexion4 ,its stem shoots up1 its branches dip1 touch the earth1 and take root1 repeating the process of extension until a great area is covered1 and crowds may shelter beneath it4 ,in like manner the extent of one's influence may at first be small1 and the circle affected by our power be limited2 but if it is wisely used and cultivated1 it will stretch and grow1 reaching farther and farther1 and touching new people with new power and blessing4 ,you know the old preacher's reproach to the people who sang1 ',oh1 for a thousand tongues6' and yet would not use the one they each possessed to witness for their ,lord4 ,i knew a man who wanted to go to ,china as a missionary1 who would not testify for ,christ in the neighbourhood where he lived4 ,that meant declension1 not growth4 ,growth comes by using the grace1 stretching out and reaching forth2 the power increases by reason of use4 #c4 ,finally1 there is growth in the form of flowers and fruit4 ,god no more intended ,his creatures to be barren and unfruitful in religion1 than ,he intended plants to fail in bloom and fruit4 ,how perfectly clear ,jesus makes this in ,his ,parable of the ,vine and the ,branches6 ,of the branch which abideth in the ,vine ,he says that when purged it shall experience a certain progression4 ,observe the order1 'bear fruit--more fruit--much fruit'1 and 'fruit which shall remain'4 ,let us ask ourselves to which of these stages we have attained1 and go on earnestly to a fuller fruitfulness4 ,if ,i had space to speak of the various kinds of ,nature's growth1 ,i should point out how some fruit is for human food1 such as apples1 oranges1 grain1 and vegetables4 ,some blossoms are for beauty and fragrance1 and in other cases flowers and fruit appear to be chiefly for seed purposes2 but with almost every plant and tree the best feature is its reproductive power2 that is1 fruit is produced whose seed is in itself1 and so multiplies its own kind4 ,is not that what ,god wants with us8 ,beauty and grace and gratification1 certainly1 for we must adorn the doctrine2 but your sanctified fruit must have the seed in itself1 which drops and takes root1 and reproduces itself in the world around you4 ,remember my last word1 ',herein is your ,father glorified that ye bear much fruit'2 fruit now and fruit always2 so that1 like the trees planted by rivers of water1 you shall 'bring forth fruit even in old age'4 ,oh1 help us1 ,lord1 throughout our time ,to test ourselves1 by help divine1 ,to see what fruit we bear2 ,what promise are we making ,thee1 ,as ripened souls we wish to be1 ,when harvest home draws near4 ,,xviii ,the ,inward ,laws ',i will put ,my laws into their hearts1 and in their minds will ,i write them4 ,their sins and iniquities will ,i remember no more4' 7,hebrews x4 #af1 #ag47 ,the beginnings of religion lie in the desire to have our sins forgiven1 and to be enabled to avoid doing the wrong things again4 ,it was so with ,david when1 in the fifty-first ,psalm1 he not only cried1 ',have mercy upon me1 ,o ,god1 and blot out my transgressions'1 but ',wash me1 cleanse me from my sin'4 ,sin is a double evil4 ,on the one hand1 it creates a record of wrongdoing which has to be faced2 on the other1 it creates a disease in the moral system and spiritual make-up of a man4 ,this disease creates desires for the evil thing1 and so warps and weakens a man's force of resistance that when the temptation is presented1 the inward craving asserts itself1 and makes the man want to go into the temptation4 ,to deal with this complex character of sin is a greater problem than human ingenuity and skill are equal to4 ,god1 however1 has solved the problem ,himself1 and ,his plan of ,salvation is addressed to both aspects of evil4 ,it includes1 first1 the forgiveness of sins2 and then the introduction of a new governing force and the power to live according to the will of ,god4 ,both these things are set out in the verses quoted1 although the order of statement is reversed4 ,let me use two stories to illustrate the separate points4 ,the one relates to a little boy who1 having done wrong in his home1 had been dealt with by his mother4 ,referring to it afterwards1 the boy said1 ',yes1 ,i knew mother had forgiven me for the wrong2 but ,i saw in her face1 although she did not frown1 that she remembered all day what ,i did in the morning'4 ,there are many1 no doubt1 who forgive in that fashion2 but it is not ,god's way4 ,he says1 ',their sins and their iniquities will ,i remember no more'4 ,he forgets as well as forgives4 ,an illustration of the other point came out in the personal testimony of an eminently religious man who1 before his conversion1 was addicted to horse-racing4 ,he said that after his conversion he did not go to the race-meeting1 but very much wanted to do so4 ,later1 when the light came to him1 he got his heart and mind sanctified2 and ',then'1 said he1 ',i not only did not go1 but ,i had no desires to be there2 the ,lord had taken the want to out of my heart'4 ,it is the knowledge of these two aspects of evil1 and of the necessity for having the double problem dealt with1 which causes us to lay such emphasis upon the 'clean heart' teaching4 ,first1 the forgiveness of the sins2 then cleansing from the evil desire1 and getting the power to live the holy life4 ,this is the essence of our ,holiness doctrine4 ,there are1 as ,i have frequently pointed out1 other things besides inner experiences connected with true religion2 for instance1 we read in this chapter of its outward tokens1 such as witnessing for ,christ1 holding fast the profession or confession of our faith without wavering4 ,that is very important4 ,there is also the association with others who are of the same mind2 'not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together'4 ,combination and outward union seem to be within the ,divine plan for extending religion4 ,stirring one another up to duty is also emphasized1 'exhorting one another'1 'provoking one another to love and good works'2 that is1 helping each other in the things which make for the godly life4 ,all these must be in us and abound1 if we are to justify our religion4 ,but1 after all1 the vital thing about religion is its inward springs and connexions2 the outer life inspired and regulated by the laws of ,god put into our hearts and written in our minds1 reproducing themselves in the activities and relations of daily life4 ,we would not undervalue the tables of stone1 on which ,god with ,his own finger wrote the ,commandments1 and delivered them to ,moses4 ,we would ever prize the ,blessed ,bible1 with its sacred records of the wonderful revelations of the ,divine mind and purposes concerning men2 for1 in producing these1 'holy men of ,god spake as they were moved by the ,holy ,ghost'4 ,how much more highly1 however1 do we value the ,spirit of ,god writing upon the fleshly tables of the heart1 bringing the heart and mind1 not only into the knowledge of ,god's will1 but into harmony with it1 and planting and feeding the living principles which produce the fruit of good living6 ,it is worth while to inquire what are the laws which ,god undertakes to put into the hearts and minds of ,his willing children4 ,in this connexion we think of the law of submission and obedience4 ,religion begins there4 ,when seeking ,salvation1 either at the penitent-form or elsewhere1 we went down1 submitted ourselves to ,god1 so far as we knew it1 and declared that we would do what ,he wanted us to do4 ,we saw1 felt1 and accepted it as the settled thing for us that ,his will should be the governing law2 that must go on operating all along life's way4 ,continuing to follow ,him is as important as beginning to do so--',if any man will deny himself1 let him take up his cross1 and follow ,me' ,that means continued submission to ,his government and conditions of service4 ,in the days of ,christ's ministry a large number of people gathered around ,him1 but when they saw what was involved1 'they went back from following ,him'4 ,we must see that the surrenders of the sanctified life are not matters of a moment4 ,there is a supreme moment when consecration lays its all upon the altar1 but every day brings its own tests even to the most advanced among us4 ,as in ,abraham's experience1 the birds of temptation and beasts of prey seek to destroy or defile the offering1 and we have to hold on in our obedience1 binding the sacrifice with fresh cords to the altar4 ,now1 we must not miss the point of the ,apostle's teaching1 which is1 that when the law of ,god is stamped in the heart and mind1 the spirit of the law prevailing within us makes us desire to obey and serve1 and so we are empowered to sustain the claims of the consecrated life4 ,then1 there is the law of faith4 ,it is spoken of in these verses4 ',we are to draw near in the full assurance of faith'2 that is1 with the confidence that our approaches will not be in vain1 because ,christ has opened the way by ,his own ,blood2 and we believe that the provisions are at our disposal4 ,now1 faith is a law for the mind as well as for the heart4 ,it is with the heart that a man 'believeth unto righteousness'2 but there must be an intelligent perception of the facts and of the rightness of the truth2 there must be an apprehension of the reasonableness of ,god's requirements before a man will happily submit1 obey1 and follow4 ,may ,i touch upon our own family sorrow in the death of a beloved son and ,officer in ,india8 ,before my heart could rest in the will of ,god as exhibited in that bereavement1 ,i had to reach the point of believing that a ,father's hand prepared that cup1 and that ,his will is the best1 and ,his power and grace will make all things work together for good4 ,the heart cried out in its agonizing pain and sense of loss2 but1 trusting in the ,divine ,love1 rest and peace came to my bereaved soul4 ,and so1 all along the consecrated way and line of service1 it is when the law of faith is written in the mind1 and becomes a settled perception or conviction1 that the sanctified heart is able to find rest4 ',by grace are ye saved through faith'1 is true at the beginning2 but equally true is the word1 ',kept by the power of ,god through faith'2 and the principle is that the law in the mind and heart constantly operates as we tread the appointed path of life and service4 ,i cannot leave the subject without touching specially upon one among other important laws which deserve our consideration2 the law of love4 ,paul was quite right when1 comparing the various qualities of ,christian character he declared1 ',the greatest of these is love'4 ',love is the bond of perfectness4' ,even submission and sacrifice are acts of joy when it is a case of love's surrender4 ,the blessedness of service is great when love is the inspiration of that service1 and great is the enduring power of true ,god-given love4 ,the human will at best is weak2 human supports are like reeds which bend or break when most needed2 intellectual capacity or natural talents are valuable2 but1 after all1 they only stand for so much in one's life2 but 'love never faileth'4 ,i cannot sufficiently commend to you this law of love in the heart2 but1 believe me1 it sweetens life's sorrow1 lightens life's burdens1 and strengthens our powers of service and endurance4 ,how far does our experience harmonize with what has been said about the nature and conditions of true religion8 which is only another way of presenting the blessing of ,holiness4 ,the new and living way of which the ,apostle speaks as opened through the ,blood of ,jesus1 is the only way to the cleansing fountain and the sanctifying grace4 ,let his words1 therefore1 encourage you to 'enter with boldness'1 to 'draw near with a true heart'1 a heart knowing its need1 but believing the promises of ,god1 and ,he will meet you and make these inward laws of ,holiness and service your abiding experience4 ,,xix ,worry versus ,peace ',be careful for nothing2 but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto ,god4 ,and the peace of ,god1 which passeth all understanding1 shall keep your hearts and minds through ,christ ,jesus4' 7,philippians iv4 #f1 #g47 ,before the full bearing and value of these verses can be realized1 ,i think they require to be read several times over4 ,even if the sentences are read through slowly1 just as they stand1 a deep sense of blessing and rest steals into the soul2 but the more deeply they are considered1 the richer will the words be found4 ,it would be almost correct for me to call this a ,new ,testament commentary on ,isaiah's beautiful verse1 ',thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on ,thee1 because he trusteth in ,thee'1 for the ideas and their relation are very similar4 ,if we look at the various phases of this message1 we shall see that they are very important4 ,they imply1 first1 a perfect surrender or committal of oneself to ,god1 based on a perfect trust2 second1 open access to ,god2 freedom of intercourse2 telling ,him all about things which try and burden and distress us4 ,we have also perfect peace2 that is1 quietness of spirit1 rest of soul1 deliverance from inward conflict1 consequent upon ,god's keeping power through ,jesus ,christ4 ,read carefully this ,apostolic message1 and observe not only the different sections1 but how they are connected1 and how1 in their completeness1 they express a most desirable spiritual experience4 ,included or connected with ,full ,salvation are certain blessings to which we generally refer1 such as perfect love and purity1 also that peace to which the ,apostle here alludes1 as well as a deep1 settled faith in the saving purposes and power of ,god4 ,but we do not always see that we may equally include deliverance from that undue anxiety which we call worry2 and yet these verses certainly prescribe a cure for worry as well as other evils1 and it may be helpful for us to look at that aspect of truth4 ,many are tempted to regard this as an ideal condition1 something to long for1 and perhaps to aim at2 whereas if the teaching of ,paul here--in fact1 of the ,bible generally--is not a delusion1 this is intended to be a realized experience2 and ,i remind any who say that ,salvation from worry is too high for us1 that they have said just the same when we have talked about a clean heart1 and ,salvation from sin and sinning4 ,a thoughtful author has recently written a book bearing the title of ',worry1 the ,disease of the ,age'4 ,he takes trouble to show that1 owing to commercial competition1 the increased desire for luxurious living1 keeping up appearances1 and other developments of modern days1 heads of families and persons in responsible positions do a great deal of worrying4 ,this writer then goes on to say3 ',it is1 however1 more than a certainty that true religion is a cure for worry1 a preventative of worry1 and is utterly incomparable in its performance of these functions'4 ',the religion which ,jesus ,christ taught in ,galilee'1 says the same writer1 'is a casting of one's care upon the ,lord1 an acceptance of the ills and lashes of life with a settled faith that ,god is too good and wise to err or to be unkind1 and that ,he will make all things work together for good to them that love ,him'4 ,i know that a state of worry may arise from physical causes4 ,inflamed nerves1 mental depressions1 or hysterical fears1 are1 in many instances1 quite beyond the control of the sufferer4 ,with others there is an intense desire to do something or get something done2 but ,i also know that1 as with bad tempers1 a good deal is put down to physical and nervous disorders which ought to be put down to lack of spiritual life and power4 ,now1 when ,i speak of ,salvation from worry1 ,i do not mean deliverance from nervous agitation or shrinking from physical suffering1 although ,i do not know how to fix a point where ,god's gracious power is exhausted1 even as regards these things2 but 'worry' is that carking care1 that undue anxiety about one's personal affairs which destroys peace of mind1 burdens the heart1 and often leads to distrust of ,god's love and power4 ,from such things ,god's grace is sufficient to deliver4 ,let me be plain1 however1 on one point4 ,i think carelessness1 recklessness1 and indifference to possible happenings1 is wrong4 ,you hear persons say1 ',oh1 never mind2 what does it matter8 ,don't fash or bother yourself4' ,but such expressions often spring from pure selfishness1 and sometimes exhibit a sinful disregard for the happiness of other people4 ,nothing makes it right to ease yourself at the expense of others1 or to shirk burdens by shifting them to other shoulders4 ,some are clever at that1 but such action may be positively sinful4 ,on the other hand1 ,god can deliver us from that anxious care and foreboding and unrest with which so many good people are afflicted4 ,oh1 my friends1 can you not learn to come to ,god as the ,apostle directs1 making known your requests in 'prayer and supplication with thanksgiving'8 for then 'the peace of ,god which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through ,jesus ,christ'4 ,we need far more trust in the providence of our ,heavenly ,father4 ,what needless pain we suffer6 what agonies of mind we endure6 what clouds hang above and around us6 because we do not trust ,him in respect of the circumstances of life4 ,there are those even who are trusting ,god to forgive their sins and save their souls1 who yet will not trust ,him to carry them through a difficulty in ordinary life and association1 or help them with their bread and butter4 ,the fact is1 they doubt ,god's personal interposition in the affairs of men2 consequently1 their affairs get muddled1 and their hearts and minds are disturbed1 often to distraction4 ,no truth is more plainly taught than that ,god does interpose4 ',in all thy ways acknowledge ,him1 and ,he shall direct thy paths4' ',the steps of a good man are ordered by the ,lord4' ',who is he that shall harm you if ye be followers of that which is good8' ',no weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper4' ,i know that distrust and doubt can erect all sorts of difficulties1 and perhaps none is more common and specious than what is called by the sceptical men 'the logic of proportion'4 ,this argument says1 ',in a universe so vast1 what is man8 ,as a speck of dust is to a planet1 and as a star is to the vast universe1 so is man to the world in which he lives'4 ,well1 it certainly is not strange that the mind should stagger at the thought of the ,creator of the universe putting ,his hand to the management of the details of a human life4 ,and yet ,god's truth in the ,bible completely wipes out this so-called 'logic of proportion'4 ,let us look at a familiar illustration used by our ,master of ,god's minute care for those who fully trust and follow ,him4 ,one able man has called what ,i am referring to 'the doctrine of the odd sparrow'4 ,matthew records how1 on one occasion1 ,jesus said1 ',are not two sparrows sold for a farthing8 and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your ,father'4 ,but1 turning to ,luke1 we find a slight variation in what ,jesus said1 ',are not five sparrows sold for two farthings1 and not one of them is forgotten before ,god'4 ,now1 do you see the point of ,luke's putting of it8 ,it is as if the dealer had said to the buyer1 ',look here1 you want a farthing's worth of sparrows4 ,well1 you can have two2 but1 if you will buy two farthingsworth1 ,i will throw the odd one in for nothing'4 ,two for a farthing2 five for a halfpenny4 ,but see2 of that odd sparrow thrown in as hardly worth counting1 ,jesus said1 ',not one of them is forgotten before ,god4 ,not one shall fall to the ground without your ,father4 ,are ye not of more value than many sparrows8' ,now1 in the light of that illustration1 turn once more to the ,apostolic message1 ',be careful for nothing'1 and ,i think you will find good reason for believing the promise1 ',the peace of ,god shall keep your hearts through ,jesus ,christ'4 ,before leaving this matter of worry1 ,i suggest that we look well to find the cause of the trouble2 for1 alas6 it is not unfrequently the case that care or undue anxiety arises from positive sin in the heart4 ,some of you worry in respect of your position in life as compared with other people's2 but are you sure that some of this fratch and distress does not arise from feelings of envy1 or jealousy1 or discontent8 ,others may worry because of comparative poverty1 but is it not often pride or ambition concerning yourselves or your children1 and a desire to be level with your neighbours1 which causes the trouble8 ,you worry1 perhaps1 because people cross your purposes and upset your plans and irritate you needlessly2 but is not the secret really that you resent interference1 and want to have your own way8 ,now1 before blaming your circumstances1 ,i suggest you have a thorough self-examination1 for it may be that the inward trouble is due to unbelief1 selfishness1 ambition1 pride1 or some other form of heart sin1 and that evil must be dealt with before perfect peace can prevail4 ,may ,i come very close to you1 and ask1 ,is it not true of some that1 far from being kept by the peace of ,god which passeth all understanding1 you are in a condition1 an attitude of mind1 which distinctly hinders the enjoyment of such a blessing8 ,some1 ,i fear1 have not got even as far as saying1 ',being justified by faith1 ,i have peace with ,god'4 ,there is some sin1 some indulgence1 which ,god is against2 and as rebellion and peace are opposed to each other1 you cannot have guidance and peace and spiritual blessings until you cast yourselves at the mercy-seat1 and take ,christ as your ,saviour4 ,again1 it may be some point of controversy4 ,something in regard to your circumstances1 or your consecration1 or even your inward condition2 you refuse or hesitate to obey ,god's call1 and follow the light4 ,god has not left you to yourselves1 but the ,spirit is grieved by your unwillingness2 and the result is1 that you have conflict in your hearts1 clouds in your sky1 and failure in your lives4 ,take it from me1 that you cannot have this deliverance which the ,apostle describes1 this keeping power and peace1 unless the will of ,god is supreme in your heart4 ,controversy must be given up1 the full surrender made1 and then you must trust yourselves and your lives in ,god's hands4 ,if this is done1 and the ,apostolic direction followed1 then you will be able to sing-- ,careless through outward cares ,i go1 ,from all distraction free2 ,my hands are but engaged below1 ,my heart is still with ,thee4 ,,xx ,an ,appeal and a ,response ',i heard the voice of the ,lord1 saying1 ,whom shall ,i send1 and who will go for ,us8 ,then said ,i1 ,here am ,i2 send me6 ,and ,he said1 ,go4' 7,isaiah vi4 #h1 #i47 ,the incident with which these words are connected was a real mosaic in sacred history4 ,you have the record of a vision which was not a dream but a revelation--a panorama of actualities4 ,the background of this vision might well absorb our attention4 ,the temple and the glory which filled it2 the throne and ,him who sat thereon2 the seraphim1 with their wings and ascriptions of ,holiness4 ,the atmosphere was1 indeed1 electric with the presence of ,god and the angelic host4 ,isaiah1 the solitary human figure in the scene1 was overawed with the glorious majesty of the ,divine character2 shame at the revelation of his own impurity overwhelmed him4 ,he rightly felt that he was a blot upon this temple scene1 but the ,divine touch of the living fire transformed him1 and prepared him for that which was to follow4 ,analyse this conversation1 and you see three things standing in a most natural order3-- ,first4 ,an ,appeal sounds out3 ',whom shall ,i send1 and who will go for ,us8' ,second4 ,a ,response is made to that ,appeal3 ',here am ,i2 send me'4 ,third4 ,a ,commission was given3 ',and ,he said1 ,go'4 ,now this conversation was not only important and imperative as regards ,isaiah and his circumstances1 but in its application to ourselves and our surroundings4 ,i think we shall get some blessing and inspiration for duty if we consider the three facts as they stand4 #a4 ,the nature of the appeal was a very simple one4 ,the ,lord wanted a suitable representative to stand for ,him among a sinful1 backslidden people4 ,isaiah was already supposed to fill that position--at any rate1 on special occasions2 but he was so much like the people themselves that in the ordinary way his religion had little weight with them4 ,no doubt he felt the honour and privilege of being a prophet when a special message had to be sent1 but he hardly realized the high purpose of his mission1 and maybe his cry1 ',here am ,i2 send me'1 was a pleading for another chance to better represent ,his ,lord4 ,the same appeal1 ',whom shall ,i send1 and who will go for ,us8' is sounded in our ears to-day4 ,there are certain aspects which ,i would like you to note4 ,it was an appeal based upon a great need4 ,then1 as now1 the people were without ,god2 indifferent to ,his claims1 few of them with any experimental knowledge of ,his ,salvation1 and1 consequently1 having no hope in the world4 ,and in these respects ,god wanted a man who would arouse the people1 assert ,his claims1 and lead them back to ,his service4 ,believe me1 the world's need to-day is a deep and terrible one4 ,i need hardly enlarge upon it4 ,you know it1 because samples of it are at your door and around you4 ,but do not forget that the deepest need of the people lies in their lack of knowledge of ,god and that ,salvation which1 after all1 is the panacea for human woe4 ,we live in days when the practical aspects of religion are most emphasized4 ,the social conditions and physical needs of the poor people are regarded as affording a sphere for ,christ-like effort quite as much as is the preaching of the ,gospel4 ,bread1 not creed2 relief as well as pity2 material improvements in place of missions and ,gospel addresses and such-like are demanded on every hand4 ,god forbid1 however1 that the doing of these things should be regarded as quite sufficient4 ,there are humanitarian considerations1 and we must not ignore them4 ,squalor1 poverty1 debauchery1 harlotry1 oppression1 war1 and ignorance are existing evils which must have attention4 ,we must not be so taken up with the souls as to neglect the temporal1 social1 and physical needs of our fellows4 ,but the deepest wail of want and woe which comes from the world is not to be met by bread1 or sovereigns1 or sanitation1 or education1 or more equal conditions of life4 ,it is the absence of ,god and eternal hope which gives the deepest and most sorrowful tone to the world's bitter cry4 ,this was also an appeal for human help4 ,i do not know why ,god has so tied ,himself up as ,he has1 but it is a fact4 ,although angels are available1 and the direct operations of ,his ,spirit would be almighty1 ,his plan is to get ,his will made known by one man telling another4 ,men to save men2 men to help men2 that seems to be ,god's method1 and ,he appeals now1 as before1 ',who will go for ,us8' #b4 ,the second point ,i named was the response to the ,divine appeal3 ',here am ,i2 send me'4 ,cannot that be repeated in various directions among us8 ,thank ,god for the responses already made1 and but for which dark and hopeless1 indeed1 would be human hearts and places which have been illuminated by the light of ,god's ,salvation4 ,but1 ,oh1 for more ready and larger responses to the appeal which is ever sounding in our ears6 ,isaiah's response was a voluntary one4 ,some people are like the horse whom his owner said had only two faults2 one1 that he 'took such a lot of catching'1 and the other that 'he would not work when he was caught'4 ,others have to be disciplined and broken by trouble before they fall in line with ,god's will4 ,but why should not every one who names our ,lord's name cry out with a ready spirit1 ',here am ,i1 ,lord2 send me'8 ,this was also a response without conditions2 or1 as we put it1 an unreserved surrender1 an unconditional consecration4 ,it is a matter to rejoice over when men and women express willingness to do any service1 but it is infinitely better when1 coming up to the ,divine altar1 they say1 ',here am ,i1 ,lord2 have your own way2 do as you will with me2 anything for ,jesus--anywhere for ,thee'4 ,have you got there yet8 ,if not1 let that be the advance which you make now1 without further bargaining and reserves4 ,but this response came from a heart qualified to make it good4 ,ah6 that is the secret of all successful service4 ,isaiah1 cleansed1 sanctified1 and touched with ,divine ,fire1 was a different person from the one who lay grovelling in the dust1 and crying1 ',woe is me6' ,up to that moment he was too much like those around him2 but now1 touched1 baptized1 and qualified1 he was fit to be ,god's witness and agent4 ,that just touches the point where some of you are lacking4 ,you need this cleansing1 this 'unction of the ,holy ,one'1 or you need it afresh in the face of the world's crying need4 ,you hold back1 you stumble and often fail2 but why8 ,the answer is1 you need just what ,isaiah got to qualify him for his mission4 ,you must get this so as to be able to respond to ,god's appeal as he did4 #c4 ,then ,i also spoke of the ,divine commission which followed the response4 ,observe the process1 ',who will go8' ',here am ,i4' ',and ,he said1 ,go'4 ,that is still the line upon which our ,lord acts in sending out ,his representatives4 ,we sometimes dwell upon the ',come's' of the ,bible1 quoting the ,divine invitations for the encouragement of hesitating souls4 ,may we not with equal force quote the ',go's' of the ,book as indicating the will of ,god concerning our duty8 ,you remember the ,lord's ',go' to ,moses1 when1 appearing to him in the burning bush1 ,god set out ,his plan for ,israel's deliverance3 ',i will send thee to bring ,my people out'4 ,in the same manner the ,lord gave ,joshua his marching orders to ',go over ,jordan1 and possess the land'4 ,paul had a similar experience when the ,lord bade him rise and receive his commission to go to the ,gentiles4 ,christ's ,parable of the ,great ,feast strikes the same note when the liberal host sent out his servants1 saying1 ',go out into the highways and hedges1 and compel them to come in1 that my house may be filled'4 ,but the grand chord was sounded out by our ,risen ,lord when ,he said to ,his disciples1 ',go ye into all the world1 and preach the ,gospel to every creature'4 ,that is the commission given to us4 ,during successive years ,i have1 on behalf of ,the ,general1 had the privilege of commissioning from our ,international ,training ,homes batches of #djj or #ejj young men and women who have been trained to be ,officers of ,the ,salvation ,army4 ,that is a grand annual contribution towards the world's ,salvation4 ,but the word comes not only to the leaders of ,god's hosts1 but to every ,soldier and follower of ,jesus ,christ who is consecrated to ,his service4 ,the ,lord's ',go' means different things to different people4 ,to some1 the ,divine finger points one way2 perhaps to a distant field1 where millions lie in the darkness of heathendom1 or to ,army ,officership somewhere4 ,to others it points to spheres of testimony and work near at hand4 ,the kinds of places and labour are varied1 but the purpose is the same1 and all who go out in obedience in ,god's name will find ,his almighty power behind them and blessings in their train4 ,i cannot direct you in detail1 but in general terms ,i can say1 ,go where you know ,god wants you4 ,where the streams of sin are sweeping the people down to damnation and dark despair--go there4 ,where the poor people are being ruined by that cup which not only curses now1 but at the last 'biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder'--go there4 ,where struggling souls are crying for sympathy and help--go there4 ,where the youth of our land are being polluted by depraved men and women among whom they earn their daily bread--go there4 ,where ,god seems unknown1 or ,his claims unheeded for lack of living witnesses--go there4 ,go where you may lift up your voice for your ,master2 go where a helping hand or kindly words can minister comfort to depressed and hopeless hearts4 ,hark6 for the ,master calls1 ,child1 ,i have need of thee2 ,man in thy pride of strength1 ,youth in thy beauteous glee1 ,aged and young1 and rich and poor1 ,trifles and toys no more pursue2 ,the world is wide1 and time is short2 ,there's work for all to do4 ,these thoughts have revived in my memory ,scott's poem in which he records an ancient custom found amongst the traditions of ,scottish history4 ,a chieftain desired to summon his clansmen to war in great urgency4 ,the shrill blast of the bugle called together his immediate followers1 but those at a distance must be summoned by other means4 ,before sending out a swift and trusty messenger1 the priest was called and certain rites which had been observed from time immemorial performed4 ,a cross was constructed from the branches of the yew tree1 and then held aloft by the priest1 whilst he pronounced awful curses on the men who1 at the sight of the signal1 failed to obey the summons of their chief4 ,the cross was then held in the fire until it blazed1 was again uplifted and fresh curses added2 then it was plunged in the blood of a newly-slain sacrifice1 and1 smoking and reeking with gore1 the charred and bloody cross was given into the hands of a swift messenger1 who leaping away as an arrow sped from a bow1 flies along the mountain-path1 and1 holding the crimson sign before the eyes of the clansmen1 names the place of assembly1 and passes the signal on throughout the borders4 ,i have no yew-tree cross1 no bleeding sacrifice visible to outward eyes1 but before the eyes of your souls1 ,i lift up the cross of ,calvary1 charred by the fires of sin1 and reeking with the ,blood of the ,divine ,victim1 and in ,god's name ,i charge you to go forth to rescue the needy souls of men4 ,see the brazen hosts of ,hell ,art and power employing1 ,more than human tongue can tell ,blood-bought souls destroying2 ,hark6 from ruin's ghastly road ,victims groan beneath their load1 ,forward1 ,o ye sons of ,god1 ,and dare or die for ,jesus4 ,,salvation ,,army ,,publications ,,by ,,the ,,general ,salvation ,soldiery4 ,stirring ,addresses on the ,requirements of ,jesus ,christ's ,service4 ,every page full of ,burning ,truths4 #aef pages4 ,illustrated4 ,cloth1 ,gilt ,edges1 #bs4 #f;d42 ,cloth1 #as4 #f;d42 ,paper1 #as4 ,the ,general's ,letters4 ,remarkable series of ,letters published in ',the ,war ,cry' of #ahhe1 dealing with ,neutrality1 ,courage1 ,realities1 etc4 #bjd pages4 ,half ,calf1 #es42 ,cloth1 #bs42 ,paper1 #as4 ,the ,training of ,children4 ,important to ,parents4 ,this book shows how to make ,children into ,saints and ,soldiers4 #bfj pages4 ,cloth1 ,bevelled ,edges1 #bs4 #f;d42 ,limp ,cloth1 #as4 #f;d42 ,paper1 #f;d4 ,the ,doctrines of ,the ,salvation ,army4 #aai pages4 ,limp ,cloth1 #f;d4 ,purity of ,heart4 ,a ,valuable ,collection of ,letters to ,salvationists on ,personal ,holiness4 #aah pages4 ,cloth1 #as42 ,paper1 #f;d4 ,religion for ,every ,day4 ,vol4 ,i4 ,an ,invaluable ,work for every ,salvationist1 dealing with matters affecting ,soul1 ,body1 ,family1 ,business1 etc4 #aij pages4 ,cloth1 #as4 #f;d42 ,paper1 #as4 ,love1 ,marriage1 and ,home4 ,being ,vol4 ,,ii of ,,religion ,,for ,,every ,,day4 #aij pages4 ,cloth1 #as4 #f;d42 ,paper1 #as4 ,religion for ,every ,day4 ,two ,vols4 in one2 #cgj pages4 ,cloth1 #cs4 ,visions4 ,a ,reprint of ,interesting ,articles from ',the ,war ,cry'4 #afj pages4 ,cloth1 #as4 #f;d42 ,paper1 #as4 ,sergeant-,major ,do-,your-,best2 or1 ,sketches of the ,inner ,life of a ,salvation ,army ,corps4 #bhg pages4 ,cloth1 #bs42 ,paper1 #as4 ,the ,seven ,spirits2 or1 ,what ,i ,teach my ,officers4 #aab pages4 ,cloth1 #as4 #f;d42 ,paper1 #as4 ,,by ,,the ,,late ,,mrs4 ,,general ,,booth ,life and ,death4 ,stirring ,addresses to the ,unsaved4 ,thoughtful and ,powerful ,appeals4 #bjf pages4 ,half ,calf1 #es42 ,cloth1 ,gilt1 #bs4 #f;d42 ,cloth1 #bs42 ,paper1 #as4 ,godliness4 ,searching ,disquisitions on ,important ,phases of the ,spiritual ,growth4 #agg pages4 ,half ,calf1 #es42 ,cloth1 ,gilt ,edges1 #bs4 #f;d42 ,cloth1 #bs42 ,paper1 #as4 ,practical ,religion4 ,one of the grandest books of the age4 ,invaluable for ,teachers of ,sanctification4 #bad pages4 ,half ,calf1 #es42 ,cloth1 ,gilt ,edges1 #bs4 #f;d42 ,cloth1 #bs42 ,paper1 #as4 ,popular ,christianity4 ,all ,seekers after ,true ,religion should read this book4 #aih pages4 ,half ,calf1 #es42 ,cloth1 #bs42 ,paper1 #as42 ,special ,cheap ,edition1 #f;d4 ,aggressive ,christianity4 ,series of ,papers on ,christian ,warfare4 #aic pages4 ,half ,calf1 #es42 ,cloth1 ,gilt ,edges1 #bs4 #f;d42 ,cloth1 #bs42 ,paper1 #as4 ,,by ,,the ,,chief ,,of ,,the ,,staff ,on the ,banks of the ,river4 ,a ,brief ,history of the ,last ,days of ,,mrs4 ,,general ,,booth4 ,cloth1 #as42 ,paper1 #f;d4 ,books that ,bless4 ,a ,series of ,pungent ,reviews1 reprinted1 by request1 from ',the ,war ,cry'4 #aia pages4 ,cloth1 #as4 #f;d42 ,linen1 #as4 ,servants of ,all4 ,a description of the ,officers of ,the ,army and their ,work4 #afg pages4 ,cloth1 ,bevelled ,boards1 #as4 #f;d42 ,cloth1 #as42 ,paper1 #f;d4 ,social ,reparation2 or1 ,personal ,impressions of ,work for ,darkest ,england4 #abd pages4 ,cloth1 #as4 ,bible ,battle-,axes4 ,a reprint of ,short ,scripture ,studies from ',the ,field ,officer' magazine4 ,carefully revised4 #agh pages4 ,cloth1 #as4 ,our ,master4 ,thoughts for ,salvationists about their ,lord4 #afh pages4 ,cloth1 #bs4 ,,the ,,red-,,hot ,,library ,cloth ,boards1 #as42 ,paper1 #f;d4 per volume4 ,no4 #a4--;,francis the ,saint1 or1 ,less than the ,least4 ,by ,brigadier ,,eileen ,,douglas4 ,no4 #b4--,on the ,banks of the ,river4 ,a ,brief ,history of the ,last ,days of ,,mrs4 ,,general ,,booth4 ,by ,,the ,,chief ,,of ,,the ,,staff4 ,no4 #c4--;,george ,fox1 the ,red-,hot ,quaker4 ,by ,brigadier ,,eileen ,,douglas4 ,no4 #d--;,helps to ,holiness4 ,by ,colonel ,s4 ,l4 ,,brengle4 ,no4 #e--;,david ,stoner2 or1 ,the ,shy ,preacher4 ,by ,brigadier ,,eileen ,,douglas4 ,no4 #f4--,red ,flowers of ,martyrdom4 ,by ,brigadier ,,eileen ,,douglas4 ,no4 #g4--;,heart-,talks on ,holiness4 ,by ,colonel ,s4 ,l4 ,,brengle4 ,no4 #h4--;,commissioner ,dowdle1 the ,saved ,railway ,guard4 ,by ,commissioner ,,railton4 ,no4 #i4--,peter ,cartwright1 ,god's ,rough-rider4 ,by ,commissioner ,,railton4 ,no4 #aj4--,lieut4-,colonel ,junker4 ,by ,commissioner ,,railton4 ,no4 #aa4--,the ,soul-,winner's ,secret4 ,by ,colonel ,s4 ,l4 ,,brengle4 ,no4 #ab4--,the ,life of ,gideon ,ouseley4 ,by ,commissioner ,,railton4 ,no4 #ac4--;,fletcher of ,madeley4 ,by ,brigadier ,,margaret ,,allen4 ,no4 #ad4--,the ,cross our ,comfort4 ,selections from the ,writings of the late ,,consul ,,emma ,,booth-,,tucker4 ,no4 #ae4--,sighs from ,hell4 ,by ,,john ,,bunyan4 ,no4 #af4--,what ,hinders ,you8 ,by ,mrs4 ,colonel ,,brengle4 ,no4 #ag4--,the ,fruits of the ,spirit1 and ,the ,whole ,armour of ,god4 ,by ,brigadier ,,eileen ,,douglas4 ,,the ,,warriors' ,,library ,cloth ,boards1 #h;d4 net2 ,half ,cloth ,boards1 #f;d4 net per volume4 ,no4 #a4--;,catherine ,booth3 ,a ,sketch4 ,by ,colonel ,,mildred ,,duff4 ,no4 #b4--;,a ,school of the ,prophets4 ,a ,sketch of ,training ,home ,life4 ,by ,,one ,,of ,,the ,,scholars4 ,no4 #c4--,our ,war in ,south ,africa4 ,by ,commissioner ,,railton4 ,no4 #d4--,the ,warrior's ,daily ,portion4--,i4 ,by ,brigadier ,,eileen ,,douglas4 ,no4 #e4--,the ,way of ,holiness4 ,by ,colonel ,s4 ,l4 ,,brengle4 ,no4 #f4--,kingdom-,makers in ,shelter1 ,street1 and ,slum4 ,by ,brigadier ,,margaret ,,allen4 ,no4 #g4--,three ,coronations4 ,by ,colonel ,,mildred ,,duff4 ,no4 #h4--,the ,life of ,oberlin4 ,by ,commissioner ,w4 ,,elwin ,,oliphant4 ,no4 #i4--;,farmer ,abbott4 ,by ,brigadier ,,margaret ,,allen4 ,no4 #aj4--,the ,warrior's ,daily ,portion4--,,ii4 ,by ,brigadier ,,eileen ,,douglas4 ,no4 #aa4--,the ,life of ,hedwig von ,haartman4 ,by ,colonel ,,mildred ,,duff4 ,no4 #ab4--,the ,life of ,gerhard ,tersteegen4 ,by ,commissioner ,w4 ,,elwin ,,oliphant4 ,no4 #ac4--,the ,life of ,colonel ,weerasooriya4 ,by ,commissioner ,,booth-,,tucker4 ,no4 #ad4--;,bernard of ,clairvaux4 ,by ,brigadier ,,margaret ,,allen4 ,no4 #ae4--;,harvests of the ,east4 ,by ,brigadier ,,margaret ,,allen4 ,no4 #af4--;,a ,kindled ,flame4 ,by ,brigadier ,,margaret ,,allen4 99 99 99 99 99 ,order from ,,the ,,manager1 ,publishing ,department1 #gi #ha ,fortess ,road1 ,london1 ,n4,w4